GASSIEV FINDS REPLACEMENT FOR HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE DEFENCE

Murat Gassiev will defend his WBA heavyweight title on Saturday against a replacement opponent after the original challenger withdrew through injury. Tony Yoka was scheduled to face the Russian champion but could not proceed with the bout. Gassiev's first title defence will go ahead as planned with an unnamed replacement opponent confirmed by the promoters.

Gassiev claimed the WBA Regular heavyweight title in December with a knockout victory over Kubrat Pulev. The Russian now holds the WBA's only heavyweight belt following Oleksandr Usyk's recent holiday of his unified world heavyweight titles. The Saturday fixture represents Gassiev's inaugural defence of the championship he secured last year.

The bout comes as other heavyweight contenders assess their prospects. Moses Itauma, aged 21, has been cautioned that a world title shot may come too early in his career, with advisors warning that such a challenge against a formidable opponent would be premature. Itauma has a scheduled fight against Filip Hrgovic lined up. Joyce, another heavyweight contender, will miss out on a title opportunity as a result of Gassiev's replacement opponent announcement.