Murat Gassiev to Defend WBA Heavyweight Title vs Peter Kadiru in Moscow

Russia's Murat Gassiev will defend his WBA heavyweight championship at the VTB Arena in Moscow on July 11, 2026. German challenger Peter Kadiru, who stepped in on short notice after French contender Tony Yoka withdrew with a back injury, described the bout as “the moment of his life,” saying “Ich bin sehr, sehr guter Dinge.” Kadiru, a 29‑year‑old with a 23‑win record, traveled to Moscow without proper preparation but is confident he can win.

The fight was confirmed by International Boxing Association (IBA) President Umar Kremlev, who promised a “world‑class spectacle” and highlighted the event as part of the IBA PRO 19 series, featuring both professional boxing and bare‑knuckle bouts. IBA CEO Chris Roberts praised the organization’s effort to bring top‑tier athletes to Russia.

Earlier reporting indicated that U.S. heavyweight Brandon Moore had a contract to face Gassiev and was awaiting Russian visas before the opponent change. According to Boxesport, “Le poids lourd Brandon Moore des États‑Unis, classé 15e au monde par la WBO et l'IBF, a reçu un contrat pour combattre Gassiev,” but the matchup was scrapped in favor of Kadiru, who was already in Europe, facilitating the late replacement.