Former WBA and IBF heavyweight champion Murat Gasiev in July 2018 he fought for the title of absolute world champion against Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk. After that, the Russian boxer has only two fights. We recalled in detail Gassiev’s “dark series” back in decemberwhen the Russian at the final stage of preparation injured his hand and could not fight with Andrei Rudenko.
Now it makes no sense not to list the best moments in the career of one of the most successful and promising Russian boxers. On Tuesday, we officially learned of the existence of the opponent of Gassiev, 28, in the third heavyweight fight, which will take place on August 26 in Belgrade (Serbia). They became Carlous Welch, a 42-year-old (!) American. The logical question would be: who is it?
For little understanding, it is enough to browse a few sites and analyze the statistics. Here are the dry facts, from which everyone can draw their own conclusions. We have already focused on age.
The record is 21 wins (18 by KO), two losses and a draw. Welch has performed primarily in Colombia and Panama, less frequently in Mexico and the United States. In terms of numbers, everything is very good, but if you go beyond the names … From the whole list of Welch, one can note, perhaps, the victory over Colombian Edison Miranda, who during his career boxed with Andre Ward, Tony Bellew, Yunier Dorticos, Isaac Chilemba, Arthur Abraham (more accurately will say – did not box, but lost).
Welch last lost in April 2018 and has since won 19 fights. For comparison, Gassiev has only entered the ring twice since July 2018: in 2020, the Russian knocked out the Albanian Nuri Seferi, in July 2021, the German Michael Wallisch. And these boxers approached the confrontation with the Russian with good statistics in terms of numbers. Wallin has 22 wins (15 by KO) and four losses, while Nuri Seferi has 41 wins (23 by KO) with nine losses. But neither Seferi nor Wallin were a serious opposition.
After an opponent was announced in Gassiev’s third heavyweight fight, spoke to his trainer Vitali Slanov. From the conversation you can learn:
“EVEN IN THE MOST DIFFICULT TIMES, I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM MURAT THAT HE WANTS TO QUIT BOXING”
– We work hard. The first stage of the OFP was held in Kislovodsk, where we worked for a month, – Slanov began to communicate with . – Now we train in Vladikavkaz. On July 30 or August 1, we will fly to Serbia, where we will have combat work. I don’t want to mention the names of the sparring partners so as not to jinx it. We are promised good things. Without them, Murat is difficult to prepare. We need reliable sparring partners so that it doesn’t happen that everyone leaves on the same day.
– Gassiev has no problems after a broken hand, which prevented the December duel with Andrey Rudenko?
Murat was injured in the last round of sparring. But now everything is fine. We are in the mood to work, everything is fine.
– What are the goals, considering that it is problematic for Russian boxers to organize title fights, to put it mildly?
We also live in this world. How will this happen… Now we have to fight this fight and then look at the situation. But our goals are: to fight and become the heavyweight champion of the world!
– Since July 2018, Gassiev has had two fights against far from the strongest opposition, and championship ambitions can be seen as something ridiculous.
– If Murat had not set such goals, he would not have started. Some at 28 only reach a serious level, and Murat has already been champion in two versions and is now moving.
Yes, there have been injuries and other times. But that’s okay. Muhammad Ali had many years of inactivity… But he came back. There are many examples. Fans and critics are entitled to their opinion, and we’re moving on.
– In summary, does Gassiev have serious ambitions?
– If not how? You have to be world champion. This is our goal. Murat at a young age fought with almost all leaders.
– Gassiev never spoke emotionally about quitting boxing?
– I never heard, even in the most difficult moments, that he said: “That’s it, boxing is not necessary.” He was always focused on winning and winning the championship. He never said he wanted to finish and he was tortured by injuries. He’s okay with all of that.
– All right, holding two fights in four years is extremely little?
– Sure. Who will dispute this?
– Let’s move on to the opponent announced on Tuesday – Carlous Welch…
– While I would not like to talk too much about this boxer. We are preparing, we are in good shape. We must carry out the last stage competently. And this boxer (Welch) is a good opponent at this point, given the timeout. You certainly cannot approach an encounter with him with thoughts of hate. But it is an enemy that must be defeated and moved on.
– So it’s an intermediate stage?
“If you look at it that way, then at this point you can stop. We have to win, then we will watch. For now, I don’t want to publicly analyze the future opponent.
“IT WILL BE FUN NOW TALKING ABOUT REVENGE WITH THE ATTRACTION”
– By the way, on July 21 there was a four-year fight in Moscow for the title of absolute world champion between Gassiev and Usyk. How often do you revisit this meeting?
Murat never looked. What is there to see? He was clearly not well. There were many nuances in the preparation and the condition of the boxer. I have personally reviewed…
“You would have no idea if things were different…”
– If Murat was in order, it would have been a completely different fight. It turned out to be a more competitive duel, and it could have ended in our favor. Well, what to say now: “If only, yes, if only …” You can say anything. Usyk came out and won the fight very well. He did his job. But Murat is also a good boy, that even in such a state he strained his opponent. However, with an opponent like Usyk, with a lefty, use one hand…
– If we discard all the political moments, then from a sporting point of view, the rematch of Gassiev and Usyk seems something unrealistic at the moment.
– Sure. It is impossible to talk about it even now. It would be really funny to talk about it. But the fact that we want to become world champions in the future is a fact. Let’s do some fighting, and then it’ll come from the state.
– WBA (Super), WBC, IBF heavyweight champion Usyk will have a rematch with Briton Anthony Joshua on August 20. Share your opinion on the fight?
– Joshua is difficult to box with Usyk. Before the first fight, I was sure that Usyk would win. In an interview, he said that Usyk would win by knockout in the final rounds, but he did. Maybe Joshua changed something in preparation now, Usyk’s condition will also be different. Both Usyk and Joshua are exceptional boxers. If Joshua doesn’t change anything, then everything will be the same. Before the first fight I was sure that Usyk would win, now I can’t say for sure.
– In conclusion, I would like to ask about the further career of Fedor Chudinov, who plays in the second middleweight.
– We are preparing. We were headed to September for a rematch with Azizbek Abdugofurov (Chudinov lost to an Uzbek boxer by unanimous decision in April – “”). We hope that the fight will take place and that we will emerge victorious.
Source : MatchTV
I am Sandra Jackson, a journalist and content creator with extensive experience in the news industry. I have been working in the news media for over five years. During this time, I have worked as an author and editor at various outlets producing high-quality content that attracts readers from different demographics.
