Antalya, Turkey (September 28, 2023) - Former IBF/WBA cruiserweight champion, Murat Gassiev, has been making waves in the heavyweight division by knocking out all four of his opponents within four rounds. However, none of these opponents were as established as Otto Wallin, making their upcoming 12-round showdown a pivotal moment for Gassiev's career in the heavyweight division.

Otto Wallin, hailing from Sweden, is most famously known for his 12-round battle against Tyson Fury in a non-title fight four years ago. Wallin's left hand opened a severe gash above Fury's right eye, but Fury persevered and secured a unanimous decision victory. Since then, Wallin has added two solid wins against Travis Kauffman and Dominic Breazeale to his record.

Wallin's career hit a roadblock when Dillian Whyte withdrew from their scheduled bout in October 2021 due to injury, but he has since secured three low-profile victories. Now, Wallin sees his upcoming fight against Gassiev as an opportunity to rejuvenate his career.

The winner of their fight, which will be for the WBA intercontinental title, will become the IBF's number two contender in the heavyweight division, where Oleksandr Usyk currently reigns as the champion. This fight will play a crucial role in determining the next top contenders in the heavyweight ranks.

Gassiev, a former cruiserweight unified champion, has only lost to Usyk in his career. He moved up to the heavyweight division after their fight and has secured four knockout victories in as many fights. However, Wallin believes that he hasn't faced a true heavyweight competitor yet, which he sees as an advantage in their upcoming bout.

As Wallin puts it, "I've fought at heavyweight all of my pro career, and I think that's an advantage for me." With a victory over Gassiev, Wallin aims to secure a significant position in the heavyweight division and potentially set up a future clash with reigning champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Check out the Gassiev vs. Wallin Fight Page for updates.

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