MOSES MUST WAIT: PULEV vs GASSIEV ANNOUNCED FOR WBA HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD TITLE CLASH AT BETCITY IBA PRO 13 IN DUBAI
Dubai, UAE, Wednesday 15 October 2025 – The eyes of the sporting world will be fixed firmly on the luxurious city of Dubai as the IBA and Epic Sports & Entertainment deliver an historic night of boxing, headlined by the WBA Heavyweight World Title clash between Kubrat Pulev (32-3, 14 KOs) and Murat Gassiev (32-2, 25 KOs) at the stacked IBA Pro 13 card.
Slated for Friday, 12 December 2025, the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium will host a defining moment for boxing, as two seasoned titans battle for the WBA Heavyweight Title, a belt immortalised by icons such as Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis.
Despite reports linking Pulev to a bout with rising star Moses Itauma next, the groundbreaking partnership between IBA and Epic Sports & Entertainment will now see the 20-year old prodigy forced to wait for his opportunity to capture Heavyweight Championship gold – with a bout against the winner of the December 12 showpiece event mooted for the heavyweight wünderkind.
Ivaylo Gotzev, CEO of Epic Sports & Entertainment, confirmed the bout between Pulev and Gassiev – and also suggested Itauma could feature on the show’s undercard:
“The Pulev vs Gassiev fight is signed, sealed, and confirmed – so [Moses] Itauma will have to wait his turn,” said Gotzev.
“We have an official WBA resolution authorising Kubrat Pulev’s first title defense to be a voluntary, and in line with that, we’ve locked in a terrific opponent in Murat Gassiev for December 12th in Dubai.
“We understand young Itauma is chomping at the bit, and as a professional courtesy I’ve spoken directly with his promoter, George Warren of Queensberry Promotions, to offer him a slot on the undercard. That would set the perfect stage for him to face the winner of the main event. This keeps everything aligned with the WBA’s directive and ensures fans get a stacked world-class heavyweight spectacle in Dubai.”
Al Siesta, CEO of IBA Pro, spoke of his excitement at the announcement of the championship contest, while also laying down the gauntlet for Itauma to square off against the winner:
“We are absolutely delighted to finally announce this fight: a tremendous bout for the WBA Heavyweight Title,” said Siesta.
“Moses Itauma is an incredible talent and I have nothing but admiration for the work Queensberry Promotions have done with him, but make no mistake, Murat Gassiev is coming to knock Kubrat Pulev out on December 12 – and then Itauma is next.
“We hope he accepts our offer to fight on the undercard, so he can witness, up close, Murat becoming Russia’s first heavyweight champion since 2013. Then, in 2026, it would be our great pleasure to derail the Itauma hype train… he is still young, so he can come again!”
Kubrat Pulev, the Bulgarian “Cobra,” enters as the reigning WBA Heavyweight Champion, having captured the title with a commanding unanimous decision over Mahmoud Charr in Sofia, Bulgaria, in March 2024.
Boasting a record of 32-3 and 14 KOs and entering the bout on a three-fight win streak, the 44-year-old veteran combines a stellar amateur pedigree with an established professional ledger, having shared the ring with modern giants Wladimir Klitschko and Anthony Joshua. Known for his thudding jab, advanced ring IQ and granite chin, Pulev’s technical style and 6’4” frame make him a threat for anyone in the division.
“It’s been a long and challenging wait, but I’m thrilled to finally defend my world title,” said WBA Heavyweight Champion Kubrat Pulev.
“I respect Murat Gassiev – he is a powerful and dangerous opponent – but I am ready, focused, and eager to give fans a great fight. I’m grateful to the IBA and Epic Sports for making this happen and can’t wait to step back into the ring.”
Russian power-puncher Murat Gassiev brings a fearsome 32-2 record with 25 KOs, boasting a knockout rate over 78%. A former unified IBF and WBA cruiserweight champion, “Iron” rose to prominence in the inaugural World Boxing Super Series in 2018 with a series of dazzling knockouts, including his demolition of Cuban danger-man Yuniel Dorticos and Polish war-horse Krzysztof Wlodarczyk.
Since moving to heavyweight in 2019, the 32-year-old has racked up a host of eye-catching stoppage wins; including a fifth-round KO of Kem Ljungquist in 2024 and a TKO over Jeremiah Milton recently in August. A brutal body-puncher with dynamite in both fists, the 6’3” wrecking ball now has his sights set on becoming the first Russian heavyweight champion since Alexander Povetkin, who held the same WBA title between 2011 and 2013.
“Kubrat Pulev is a tough, experienced opponent, but I am built for this moment,” said WBA Heavyweight Title challenger Murat Gassiev.
“I believe I have the power to knock out any heavyweight on the planet – so I will be bringing the heat to Dubai. It will be an historic night for me and I will be extremely proud to bring the WBA title back home to Russia.”
“It is my intention to show everybody the absolute best version of Murat Gassiev and put the boxing world on notice once again.”
The bout pits Pulev’s technical ability against Gassiev’s raw power in a classic “boxer vs. puncher” match-up. With Pulev’s ram-rod jab and educated footwork squaring off against Gassiev’s heavy-handed aggression, fans will be treated to a tactical war with explosive knockout potential.
Umar Kremlev, President of International Boxing Association (IBA), said: “Pulev vs. Gassiev is a fight for the history books – a clash of skill, power, and heart. Dubai is the perfect stage to showcase this battle for the WBA title, and with Epic Sports, we’re delivering a night that will inspire the world and elevate boxing’s legacy.”
The heavyweight division in 2025 is fascinatingly poised, with a long list of hungry contenders vying for Ukrainian icon Oleksandr Usyk’s undisputed championship. The winner of Pulev vs Gassiev will solidify themselves as a major player in boxing’s blue ribbon division, with a host of tantalising match-ups against the likes of Moses Itauma, Anthony Joshua and the returning Tyson Fury in the offing for the victor of December 12’s showdown.
Announcements on the undercard and the schedule for the world championships will be made in the coming weeks.
IBA Pro 13 will be promoted by the International Boxing Association (IBA) and Epic Sports & Entertainment, with support from the Dubai Sports Council.