Murat Gassiev is a professional boxer from Russia who has the status of undefeated (as of January 2018). By nationality, Murat is Ossetian. Among the sporting achievements of the boxer, it can be noted that he is the world champion according to IBF (International Boxing Federation) in the first heavy weight category (2016 - up to now).
Boxer Biography
Murat Gassiev was born on October 12 in 1993 in the city of Vladikavkaz (North Ossetia, Russian Federation). As a child, Murat was a very energetic and agile child who did not sit a minute in place. As a result, the boy was involved in many sports - he attended sections of football, wrestling and judo.
In 2007, Murat signed up for the boxing section, and since then has not parted with this sport. Having an excellent “background” in martial arts, Murat quickly got used to the discipline of boxing and began to show good results. The young boxer possessed phenomenal boxing skills: a well-set strike, a developed sense of timing, protective equipment and much more.
Professional boxing career
Murat Gassiev began his pro career in 2011. The first entry into the ring took place on September 21 against Ukrainian Roman Mirzoev. In this difficult battle, Murat won his debut victory, obtained on points. The next 11 fights (until May 26, 2013) Murat ended with victories. Among his opponents were such skillful fighters as compatriot Teymuraz Kekelidze and Belarusian Denis Solomko.
11-0 statistics allowed him to enter the ring against an experienced Georgian boxer Levan Jamardashvili to compete for the WBC youth champion title. During the fight, boxer Murat Gassiev figured out his counterpart without any problems, sending him to a deep knockout in the second round. The first title, the first triumph, and June 26, 2013 was a happy date for the Russian athlete.
The next significant duel in the career of Gassiev took place on February 1, 2014. On this day, the Russian fought with the Belgian boxer Ismail Abdul for the vacant IBF East-West title in 1st heavyweight. Judicial verdict - the victory of Murat Gassiev.
Failed battle against Isaiah Thomas
In December 2015, the Russian met face-to-face with American professional Isaiah Thomas, who previously did not know defeats. The winner of this pair was to become a contender for the vacant IBF world title in the first heavyweight. During the fight, boxer Murat Gassiev was superior in points. In the 3rd round, Gassiev conducted a series of involuntary strikes, immediately after the sound of the gong. Isaiah Thomas got a standing knockdown, after which his team refused to continue the fight. The match was declared invalid.
A famous battle against compatriot Denis Lebedev
On December 3, 2016, a duel took place between two experienced Russian boxers for the IBF world champion title in the first heavy weight category. During the fight, both athletes demonstrated their best boxing skills. Several times the match changed its trajectory - at first Lebedev dominated, then Gassiev, then again all over again. As a result of a 12-round boxing match, victory was given to Murat Gassiev by decision of the judges.
It is noteworthy that in the fifth round, Denis Lebedev was knocked down for the second time in his entire professional career. In October 2017, Gassiev defended his title against the Polish boxer Krzysztof Wlodarczyk.