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Gassiev vs Yoka Confirmed July 11 Moscow — WBA Heavyweight Title On The Line
HEAVYWEIGHT

Gassiev vs Yoka Confirmed July 11 Moscow — WBA Heavyweight Title On The Line

HEAVYWEIGHT

Gassiev vs Yoka Confirmed July 11 Moscow — WBA Heavyweight Title On The Line

Right then — Murat Gassiev has his next defence. July 11, VTB Arena Moscow, Tony Yoka standing across the ring. The Olympic gold medalist has rebuilt his career for this one and the fight makes sense for both men.

  • Murat Gassiev will defend his WBA regular heavyweight title against Tony Yoka on July 11, 2026 at the VTB Arena in Moscow — headlining IBA PRO 19.
  • Yoka, the Rio 2016 Olympic super heavyweight gold medalist, has rebuilt his career under Don Charles after a rough patch of three losses in four fights.
  • It is Gassiev's first defence since the WBA title-winning sixth round stoppage of Kubrat Pulev earlier this year.
May 28, 2026 By Luke Parker • Boxing Lookout

Gassiev Gets A Live Body — Yoka Is The Right Fight

Right then — Murat Gassiev is back at it. The Russian announced himself to the heavyweight division properly earlier this year when he took out Kubrat Pulev inside six rounds to lift the vacant WBA regular title, and now he gets the first defence: Tony Yoka, July 11, VTB Arena Moscow, headlining IBA PRO 19. Class booking.

Yoka is a proper opponent. The Rio 2016 Olympic gold medalist at super heavyweight, the Frenchman has been quietly rebuilding under trainer Don Charles after a horrible patch of three losses in four fights derailed the original hype train. Don Charles has done the same work on him that he did on Chisora — sharpened the jab, tightened the defence, brought back the body attack. Yoka has won three on the bounce.

Why It Makes Sense For Both Camps

Make no mistake — this is a winnable fight for Gassiev on home turf, but it is not a soft touch. Yoka is six foot seven, he can box, and his Olympic pedigree means he has the fundamentals. The Russian gets a credible challenger that keeps the WBA happy, a recognisable name for the broadcast deal, and the home crowd at the VTB Arena where he is undefeated.

For Yoka, this is the biggest payday since the Bakole loss and a route back to the world title picture if he pulls it off. Fury versus Joshua winner sits at the top of the division, Usyk still holds the WBC, the IBF mandatory road runs through Frank Sanchez after Cairo. A Yoka upset puts him properly back in the conversation.

Tactical Read

Let's not beat around the bush — Gassiev is the heavier puncher. His right uppercut is one of the best inside shots in the division, dating back to his World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight run. Yoka does his best work behind the jab at range and looks rough when forced into trench warfare. Whoever sets the distance wins.

The pivot for me is the Olympic gold medalist's chin. Yoka has been hurt against Carlos Takam and against Bakole. Gassiev only needs one clean shot. If Yoka tries to outbox the Russian for twelve and stays on his bicycle, he can win this on the cards. If he stands and trades, he gets clipped.

Prediction Watch

I make it Murat Gassiev by stoppage inside eight rounds, body shots forcing the issue late. The Russian is too sharp at the top of the punch, too dangerous on the inside, and at home. Yoka takes him into the middle rounds, lands his moments, then folds when the body attack starts. Class fight, proper test, but Gassiev levels above where Yoka is right now. The winner gets the IBF mandatory queue behind Frank Sanchez. Boxing is moving again.

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