Murat Gassiev questions WBA title status before Fury–Joshua

Murat Gassiev says he remains unclear about his WBA heavyweight title status following reports Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will contest the organisation’s ‘Super’ belt.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Gassiev said he had received no explanation from the governing body or either fighter’s team.

“I don’t know what has happened with my belt because there is no news from the WBA or from the teams of Joshua and Fury.”

Gassiev’s team seek clarification

His comments follow a formal objection from his promoters, outlined in a statement published by the IBA on 25 September.

That statement described Gassiev as the WBA’s ‘regular’ champion. His team argued that Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to vacate should have given Gassiev either promotion to ‘Super’ champion or the first opportunity to fight for that status.

Co-promoter and legal counsel John Wirt said the team had asked the WBA to confirm or deny the reports and explain the grounds for any decision.

The distinction matters because the dispute concerns which version of the WBA championship would be attached to Fury–Joshua and where that would leave Gassiev.

Fury and Joshua prepare for December meeting

Fury and Joshua are due to meet on 11 December, with interest in the outcome extending across the heavyweight division.

Daniel Dubois has also welcomed a possible fight with Fury, although he must first come through his rematch with Fabio Wardley.

For Gassiev, the immediate issue is clarification of his championship position.