Murat Gassiev remains open to discussing a WBA title fight with Moses Itauma if the British heavyweight contender maintains his unbeaten record this weekend.
Gassiev holds the regular WBA title, which is second only to the WBA “Super” title held by Oleksandr Usyk.
Itauma is ranked No. 1 in the WBA ratings behind Gassiev, so a potential matchup between the two heavyweights is possible.
However, it is unclear whether Mr. Itauma will take up the position next. “I don’t know, maybe,” Gassiev told Sky Sports. “He’s going to fight (Jermain) Franklin.
“Let’s see what happens after this match. After this match is over, we can talk about what’s next.”
He believes American front-runner Franklin could derail Itauma’s future plans when he boxes in Manchester on Saturday.
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British boxer Moses Itauma says if given the chance to fight for a world title, he would be “happy to take it”.
“This is a heavyweight. We have big men, good punchers, good power, but we don’t know what will happen. Itauma has a chance, Franklin has a chance. We can’t see what’s ahead. I think whoever is training better will win,” Gassiev said.
“You never know what’s going to happen in the fight. Itauma is a young fighter, talented, strong and fast. Itauma is very good. Franklin is a very good fighter. I don’t know…it’s not an easy opponent for him.”
Gassiev expects to box next in the summer. “I’m just training,” he said. “We have plans to fight in the middle of the summer, like July, and we’re working towards that right now.
“A lot of top fighters are fighting right now and once their fights are over, we’ll see what their plans are and what they’ll do next.”
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Heavyweight boxer Jermaine Franklin dreams of a chance against Britain’s Moses Itauma
Mahmudov: ‘Very tough fight’ against Fury
It would be a surprise for Itauma to lose to Franklin, as well as Aslanbek Makhmudov defeating Tyson Fury in a match to be held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 11th.
But Gassiev believes both shocks are possible. Although Fury is his “favorite fighter,” Gassiev warned: “It’s not an easy fight for Tyson and it’s a good chance for Mahmudov to pull off an upset. He can take this chance. He’s a very, very tough fight for Tyson.”
“Tyson is Tyson, you never know,” he added. “How he trains is very important. Stay disciplined, keep training. If he is serious about his training, it will be a good fight.
“But let’s take a look.”
