Deontay Wilder is edging ever closer to securing fight number 51.
The former WBC heavyweight world champion was last in the ring back in April, with a rare points victory against Derek Chisora.
That result – only his second decision win, with all other 43 coming by way of knockout – kept Wilder’s career alive after a shaky few years, during which losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang left many feeling that retirement was looming.
While the 41-year-old is certainly nearing the end of his campaign, his spirited performance against Chisora, plus major shifts in the heavyweight ranks, mean he can navigate one last crack at championship level.
Despite reports that he has agreed to face two-time cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, who would be moving up in weight for the first time, on the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua undercard, Wilder has now revealed to IBA Boxing that his team has had positive conversations with Murat Gassiev, the man who has held the WBA Regular world title since a 2025 win over Kubrat Pulev.
“I would love that. There is some communication between me and Murat’s team, for sure. And I would love that. Out of all the choices, I would love for that one to go.
“I know him. He’s a great guy, great champion. He’s been to my camps before, and we even sparred and stuff like that before, with Abel Sanchez. They came down and sparred and stuff like that.
“We know him from that aspect of things, and he’s a great guy. I always thought very highly of Murat, I really have, even as a human being. And to see him as a champion, he’s well deserving.
“Now I hope we can really get in the ring where it really counts. I would love that, but we’ll see what happens. So much movement, so many different moving pieces going on at this moment in time, and we’re just trying to get the best puzzle piece that’s going to fit perfectly for us.”
Gassiev has also been linked with Jarrell Miller and Derek Chisora, though his WBA Regular belt has been somewhat diminished since it was announced that Fury and Joshua’s fight will be for the ‘super’ version of the sanctioning body’s title.
