Gassiev becomes WBA champion after Usyk's departure: new king in the heavyweight division
Russian heavyweight Murat Gassiev has officially become WBA world champion without throwing a single punch after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the title.
Russian heavyweight Murat Gassiev has officially become WBA world champion without throwing a single punch after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the title.
Murat Gassiev has officially become WBA heavyweight world champion after Oleksandr Usyk relinquished his titles. The WBA's decision came into effect on 12 September 2025, when the organisation confirmed the belts would be passed to the Russian without the need for a fight. Gassiev, 31, has not boxed since 2023 but remained WBA's number two behind Usyk, automatically making him the successor after the Ukrainian moved up to bridgerweight.
This is the first time in modern boxing history that a championship title has been passed to a boxer without throwing a single punch in a professional contest. The WBA justified the decision by stating that Gassiev was the only candidate meeting the criteria for mandatory title defence in the division. The organisation stressed that the rankings remain valid and that Gassiev is the only boxer who can be presented as champion on the international stage.
Reaction to the decision has divided the expert community. President of the Russian Boxing Federation Umar Kremlev called it a "fair outcome for Russian boxing", emphasising that Gassiev had earned the title through years of performances at cruiserweight and maintaining a top position. Meanwhile, former heavyweight world champion Vladimir Klitschko described the title as "hollow" since it was not won in the ring but acknowledged that Gassiev has every chance to prove his claim in upcoming fights.
Such an administrative transfer of the belt exposes a systemic crisis of legitimacy in professional boxing. Sanctioning bodies, desperate to keep their belts relevant, bypass sporting meritocracy. Gassiev's two-year absence from the ring turns this championship status into a bureaucratic formality rather than a sporting triumph.
Critics rightly point out that diluting the linear succession of the title reduces interest in the division, turning the crown into a negotiating chip rather than a symbol of absolute supremacy. Strategically, this move reshuffles the heavyweight deck, which has been without a flagbearer since Usyk's departure. The WBA is effectively forcing a major fight by installing Gassiev to immediately trigger the mandatory defence mechanism.
This creates a direct path to a showdown with Anthony Joshua, who can no longer ignore the challenger holding the belt. Instead of prolonged negotiations over mandatory status, the organisation has created a situation where promoters will have to agree to a fight to restore meaning and prestige to the vacant crown. Gassiev's two-year layoff turns his return into a high-stakes gamble where administrative support clashes with physical reality.
Typically, a fighter's path to the title requires a series of eliminator bouts to shake off the rust, but here the WBA has skipped that step. If the Russian loses his first fight, it would deal a crushing blow to the reputation of an organisation that hands out crowns without ring-testing. Thus, the championship belt becomes not a reward for past achievements but a heavy burden of obligations in the face of rivals who are in active competition.
From a commercial standpoint, such a decision is an attempt to monetise the power vacuum. Promoters get a ready-made main event without the hassle of gruelling negotiations over eliminator tournaments, which often deter TV partners. Having a WBA title instantly elevates any of Gassiev's opponents, turning a routine fight into a global spectacle.
It's a cynical yet effective move: the sanctioning body has preserved the relevance of its belt by creating an artificial shortage that can now be sold in the broadcast and PPV market, where names like Joshua or Fury dominate. What's next? The WBA has mandated that Gassiev must make his first title defence within 12 months.
Former world champion Anthony Joshua, who has been active in the UK and is ranked number one in the WBA ratings, is being considered as the mandatory challenger. If the fight is agreed, it could take place as early as the first quarter of 2026. If negotiations collapse, the WBA reserves the right to order a mandatory defence against another top-five contender. Read at Lenta Sport
Usyk's departure created a power vacuum in the heavyweight division, and Gassiev was the only one who could fill it. This changes the balance of power in the division, reshuffles mandatory defences and restores the Russian's status as a world champion at the highest level. Without throwing a punch, but with the crown.
Lenta Sportlenta.ruBy Алексей Гусев2 Jul, 8:45ru
Boxing legends share their insights ahead of the high-stakes heavyweight title fight between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois.
The main fight is Gassiev vs Yoki for the WBA title. On the undercard - Suslenkov vs Joyce and Khalidov vs Yallyev.
Benavidez captures WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles in dominant victory, cementing three-division champion status.
Knockout power and aggressive style deliver another decisive victory as Benavidez cements his place among boxing's elite force.
Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven takes on Oleksandr Usyk for the WBC heavyweight title at the Giza Pyramids this Saturday.
Jaron 'Boots' Ennis dismantled Xander Zayas with a seventh-round TKO to seize the WBA and WBO junior middleweight belts, silencing doubters and stamping his dominance.
The main fight is Gassiev vs Yoki for the WBA title. On the undercard - Suslenkov vs Joyce and Khalidov vs Yallyev.
Tyson Fury shocked reporters by admitting he and Dillian Whyte once slept together in a single bed during a 2012 sparring camp, turning the press conference into a comedy roast.
Ukrainian kingpin vacates hardware, ending ordered clash with Kabayel and leaving the heavyweight throne wide open.
The WBC’s tight timeline is forcing Oleksandr Usyk’s team to finalize a marquee heavyweight defense against rising contender Agit Kabayel before 2026 slips away.
Carlos Correa’s late power surge outduels Minnesota’s bullpen in a 5-4 Houston win that exposes playoff chinks in both teams’ armor.
Teenage striker Jeff Ekhator’s Juventus future hangs in the balance just days after his €18m arrival from Genoa, with a loan exit likely amid a stacked attack under Spalletti.
Bruce Prichard defends live confrontation with Abyss, calling it a necessary TV moment amid online backlash over ‘bully’ claims.
Nonprofit intercepts event food waste to feed families while Messi’s Argentina play, proving sport can do more than score goals.
AEW’s Anthony Bowens says Target Field success proves stadium wrestling can draw new crowds and reshape the product.
A wrongful red card in a World Cup match exposes how VAR’s inconsistencies can rewrite match scripts—and why FIFA must act now.
