Murat Gassiev has called for the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua victor to make a mandatory defence against him if they are going to box for the WBA 'super' heavyweight title.
Gassiev, the WBA 'regular' titlist, believed he would be upgraded to 'super' or full world champion when Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt. It has subsequently emerged that the WBA intend to make the Fury vs Joshua fight on December 11 for the 'super' title, essentially making Gassiev a secondary belt-holder.
"This situation is interesting, a little bit strange, with the belt," Gassiev told Sky Sports. "When Usyk left his belt, I wake up I'm super champion. Go to sleep, wake up, I'm again regular champion. It's okay. I'm not angry. I understand. I'm not a kid, I understand everything."
But he does believe the WBA must then install him as the mandatory challenger for the winner. "From me a big present for AJ and Tyson before new year. A present from me. Just only one thing. Who wins - after the fight I need to fight with this guy for sure," he declared. Gassiev last boxed in June when he stopped Peter Kadiru and has no date confirmed for his next fight.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing