ISTANBUL — Derek Chisora isn’t finished yet.
At the IBA’s October 6 press conference at the Çırağan Palace Kempinski, I watched Chisora announce plans to face Murat Gassiev in December, with London and Manchester under consideration. He wants both IBA and WBA belts on the line.
“In December it will be me versus Gassiev,” Chisora said.
IBA President Umar Kremlev backed the proposed matchup, though a final date and venue were not announced. The fight would follow Chisora’s April loss to Deontay Wilder in his 50th professional appearance, previously billed as his farewell. Apparently, there’s room for one more.
All smiles and in good spirits as he discussed the Gassiev fight, Chisora also offered Kremlev a few additional promotional ideas for the growing IBA Bare Knuckle division, including staging a tournament in Africa. His suggested format: Black fighters against white fighters.
Kremlev told him he would have to promote it himself. Chisora responded that Kremlev wouldn’t like how he wanted to promote it, then repeated his preference for Black fighters versus white fighters. The funny part was the exchange over who would handle the promotion. Chisora already had his concept picked out.
The proposed Gassiev fight comes with questions beyond the date and venue. Gassiev’s team is challenging reports that the WBA plans to attach its “Super” heavyweight title to December’s Tyson Fury–Anthony Joshua bout.
In a September 25 statement published by the IBA, Gassiev’s promoters argued that Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to vacate should have resulted in Gassiev’s elevation to Super champion, or at least given him the first opportunity to fight for that status. They have lodged a formal objection with the WBA.
The WBA’s September rankings list Gassiev as its heavyweight “World Champion,” with no separate Super champion named. Adding that designation to Fury–Joshua would leave Gassiev holding a secondary title again, despite not losing his championship in the ring.
John Wirt, Gassiev’s co-promoter and legal counsel, said the team had asked the WBA to confirm or deny the reports and explain any decision. His objection also addresses the rankings: Jarrell Miller is No. 1, followed by Fury at No. 2 and Joshua at No. 3. Gassiev’s team argues that the reigning champion and leading contender should not be bypassed.
“I have defended this title in the ring, not in a press release,” Gassiev said in the statement. His team says it was not consulted about the reported plans.
But the rankings deserve scrutiny on the Chisora side, too. He does not appear in the WBA’s September top 15. If its belt is to be contested, the organization will also need to address his eligibility for the opportunity.
Chisora made his intentions clear in Istanbul, but the date, venue, and championship stakes still need to be confirmed. Gassiev’s team is asking the WBA to respect his standing as champion. If Chisora gets the title shot, the organization should also explain how an unranked challenger qualifies.
This special report was filed from Istanbul, Türkiye, by Jeandra LeBeauf, reporting on behalf of Best Women’s Boxing Show PERIOD.
