"Franklin has a chance!" Gassiev fears Itauma's plans could be ruined

Murat Gassiev, the current holder of the WBA regular heavyweight title, has indicated his willingness to discuss a championship bout against rising British star Moses Itauma, provided Itauma maintains his undefeated streak this coming weekend. As Itauma is ranked No. 1 in the WBA, directly behind Gassiev, a potential clash between the two heavyweights appears to be a logical step.

However, Gassiev remains cautious about making immediate plans, acknowledging Itauma's upcoming fight. "I don't know, maybe," Gassiev commented. "He has a fight against Jermaine Franklin. We'll see what happens after this fight concludes, then we can discuss what's next."

Gassiev believes American contender Jermaine Franklin possesses the capability to disrupt Itauma's trajectory when they meet in Manchester this Saturday.

Emphasizing the unpredictable nature of heavyweight boxing, Gassiev stated, "It's the heavyweight division; big guys with powerful punches. I can't predict what will happen. Both Itauma and Franklin have a chance. The fighter who trains better will likely emerge victorious." He added, "Itauma is a young, talented, strong, and fast fighter – very good. Franklin is also a very good fighter. It won't be an easy bout for Itauma."

Regarding his own schedule, Gassiev anticipates returning to the ring by mid-summer, ideally in July. "I'm currently focused on training," he explained. "Our plan is to fight around July, and we are working towards that. Many top fighters are currently scheduled, so after their bouts, we will assess our options and make further plans."

Makhmudov: A "very, very hard fight" for Fury

Gassiev also offered his perspective on the upcoming bout between Tyson Fury and Aslanbek Makhmudov on April 11 at Tottenham Hotspur stadium. While an Itauma loss to Franklin would be unexpected, Gassiev considers Makhmudov defeating Fury to be another possible upset. Despite Fury being his "favourite fighter," Gassiev cautioned, "This is not an easy fight for Tyson, and Makhmudov has a genuine opportunity to cause an upset. He can take this chance. He's a very, very tough opponent for Tyson." He concluded, "Tyson is Tyson; you never know what to expect. His training and discipline are crucial. If he's training seriously, it will be a good fight. But we'll have to wait and see."