Murat Gassiev Scores One-Punch KO Over Kubrat Pulev – Boxing Results

Today in Dubai, former IBF/WBA cruiserweight champ Murat Gassiev won a version of the heavyweight title by way of an impressive, one-punch KO over Kubrat Pulev. Gassiev, still only 32 years of age and having picked up just a handful of heavyweight wins, uncorked perhaps the best punch of his career, this as he dropped Pulev with an in-close left hook to the head in round six.

The fight in Dubai, contesting the WBA “regular” heavyweight title, was all over with in a flash as Russia’s Gassiev finally let loose with bad intentions, his left hand bomb coming after he had been lambasted by his team for being too punch-conservative.

Pulev, who had a what-hit-me look on his face after being decked, was in no shape to beat the count. Now 33-2(26), Gassiev – beaten only by Oleksandr Usyk at cruiserweight and by Otto Wallin at heavyweight – is now in a heck of a good spot as far as getting some bigger fights down the road.

Pulev, at age 44, was stopped for just the third time today, and it could prove to be a tough road back for the Bulgarian warrior should he indeed carry on.

Gassiev, who was a beast of a 200-pounder, never managed to parlay his talents into the heavyweight division……..until today. After a pretty tentative start, Gassiev showed his power, accuracy and danger-level, this as he struck up close against Pulev, his quite beautiful left hook to the head drawing ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ from the crowd and from the TV commentators as soon as it landed.

Today’s one-punch KO from Gassiev might not have been the KO of the Year, but it sure might be the best KO Gassiev has scored thus far in his career.

What next for Gassiev will prove to be interesting, with possible fights with the likes of Moses Itauma and other heavyweight stars a possibility. Coming as today’s win did some two-and-a-bit years after his decision loss to Wallin, Gassiev – who has never been stopped or has come close to being stopped – managed to give his career one big shot in the arm.