Pulev and Gassiev to Add New Chapter to WBA Regular Heavyweight Title
In a charged atmosphere at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, WBA Regular Heavyweight champion Kubrat Pulev and challenger Murat Gassiev faced off for the first time at the official press conference for IBA Pro 13.
The tense stare-down confirmed that Friday, December 12, live on DAZN, will deliver one of the year’s most unexpected heavyweight showdowns, drawing global attention to Dubai’s emerging boxing scene.
The event is historic, marking the first heavyweight title fight in the United Arab Emirates and positioning the city as a rising hub for future events.
Pulev defends WBA crown
Pulev (32-3, 14 KOs), the 44-year-old ‘Cobra’ from Sofia, Bulgaria, defends his WBA Secondary Heavyweight title for the first time since capturing it earlier this year with a commanding win over Manuel Charr.
Renowned for his granite chin and technical precision, Pulev brings two decades of professional experience and three straight victories into this bout.
A special and surprise sanction from the WBA allowed him to face Gassiev first, with the winner due to meet rising British star Moses Itauma next, adding interest for UK fans.
Gassiev enters heavyweight
Gassiev (32-2, 25 KOs), the 32-year-old former unified cruiserweight champion from Vladikavkaz, Russia, is a power-punching force with elite wins over Yuniel Dorticos and Denis Lebedev.
This heavyweight title debut after an uneven run gives him a chance to become Russia’s first world top-division champion in 13 years — a milestone loaded with national pride.
IBA Pro 13 festival
The pair faced off at the press conference ahead of Friday’s battle. A win for either man sets the stage for more significant match-ups and highlights Dubai’s growing presence in global boxing.
IBA Pro 13 is the culmination of a 12-day “Festival of Boxing,” blending top-level professional bouts with elite amateur showcases.
Pulev vs Gassiev, the headline event, promises a 12-round battle that could set up a future clash with Oleksandr Usyk and further elevate Dubai’s profile in world boxing.
With DAZN coverage and international media focus, this bout is positioned to be a defining showcase for Dubai — potentially marking the start of a new chapter for both fighters and the heavyweight division.
It’s another chapter for the WBA Regular Belt, briefly out of commission after Usyk vs Daniel Dubois in August 2023, before being reinstated.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of experience. He has interviewed dozens of world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside since founding WBN in 2010. Read full bio.
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