Tony Yoka’s withdrawal has left newly elevated WBA heavyweight champion Murat Gassiev searching for a late replacement in Moscow
Joe Joyce could receive an unexpected shot at the WBA heavyweight title after emerging as the leading replacement for Tony Yoka against Murat Gassiev on July 11. Already scheduled to fight on the Moscow card, Joyce is now in position to move straight into the main event if organizers confirm the switch.
Yoka withdrew after suffering a back injury during training camp, leaving organizers searching for a replacement. Since Joyce is already scheduled to face unbeaten Artem Suslenkov on the same card, moving him into the main event would be the simplest solution.
If the switch is made, the 40-year-old Joyce (16-4, 15 KOs) would go from a 10-round undercard bout to challenging for a world title despite entering on a two-fight losing streak and having lost four of his last five contests.
Joyce hasn’t fought since losing a decision to Filip Hrgovic in April 2025. Before that defeat, he dropped a unanimous decision to Derek Chisora and was stopped twice by Zhilei Zhang during a sharp decline after opening his career with 15 consecutive victories.
Gassiev’s search for a new opponent came just hours after the WBA elevated him from secondary champion to full heavyweight champion following Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to vacate the title.
Gassiev (33-2, 26 KOs) is also trying to rebuild his career. Once regarded as one of boxing’s most feared cruiserweights, the Russian has struggled to recapture that form at heavyweight, including a decision loss to Otto Wallin in 2023. Victories over Ken Ljungquist and Jeremiah Milton earned him a shot at Kubrat Pulev, whom he knocked out to capture the WBA’s secondary heavyweight title before being elevated to full champion.
Joyce’s potential move into the main event highlights the lack of proven contenders in the heavyweight division outside the elite level. Despite his recent record, his availability and willingness to step in make him a logical replacement if organizers decide against postponing the event.
An official announcement has not yet been made, but Joyce has emerged as the leading candidate to face Gassiev.