Peter Kadiru Replaces Tony Yoka For Murat Gassiev WBA Title Fight July 11

Tony Yoka’s injury has handed Germany’s Peter Kadiru an unexpected shot at Murat Gassiev’s WBA heavyweight title in Moscow

Peter Kadiru will challenge Murat Gassiev for the WBA heavyweight title on July 11 after replacing the injured Tony Yoka. The late switch gives the German heavyweight his first world title opportunity after entering the fight outside the WBA’s top 15 rankings

Yoka withdrew from the bout with a back injury, opening the door for Kadiru (23-1, 13 KOs), who was not ranked in the WBA’s top 15 before receiving the opportunity. The 28-year-old is also absent from the WBC, IBF and WBO heavyweight rankings.

“I was fully prepared and ready for Tony Yoka, but boxing is unpredictable, and champions must adapt,” Gassiev said.

“Peter Kadiru is a big, strong, experienced fighter with a solid amateur pedigree and real power. I intend to keep the WBA World Heavyweight Title in Russia.”

Kadiru has won 10 consecutive fights since suffering a 56-second knockout loss to Marcos Antonio Aumada in 2022. His most notable victory came in May, when he outpointed veteran Senad Gashi over 10 rounds. Beyond that, his record lacks victories over established heavyweight contenders.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to travel to Russia and challenge for the WBA Heavyweight World Title on July 11,” Kadiru said.

“This is my moment. My team and I are locked in, and Moscow should get ready for a big performance.”

The fight also reflects the questions that continue to follow Gassiev’s heavyweight career. The Russian was one of boxing’s premier cruiserweights, unifying titles with victories over Denis Lebedev and Yuniel Dorticos before losing the undisputed championship to Oleksandr Usyk in 2018.

His move to heavyweight has produced mixed results. Gassiev’s biggest test ended in a split-decision loss to Otto Wallin in 2023, while subsequent wins over Kem Ljungquist, Jeremiah Milton and 44-year-old Kubrat Pulev helped him secure the WBA title.

Rather than facing another established contender in his first defense, Gassiev will now defend his belt against an unranked replacement whose résumé has yet to include a world-class opponent.

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