Heavyweight champion Murat Gassiev says Miller fight is inevitable

Murat Gassiev believes a WBA heavyweight title defence against Jarrell Miller is becoming unavoidable. The Russian champion has confirmed his interest in a fight after receiving an offer involving Miller’s team and Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.

The situation depends on Moses Itauma’s decision to challenge Filip Hrgovic for the vacant IBF heavyweight title on August 29. Itauma had been positioned as a mandatory challenger for Gassiev’s WBA belt, but his move towards the IBF route is expected to leave Miller as the next leading contender for the Russian’s title.

Gassiev said he would be interested in the proposed bout and considers it effectively inevitable if Itauma continues with the IBF challenge. Miller is ranked next in the WBA heavyweight order and is expected to secure his first world title opportunity if the sanctioning body confirms that position.

Miller’s latest result was a unanimous decision victory over Lenier Pero in April. He also drew over 12 rounds with Andy Ruiz Jr in 2024, although the contest was widely viewed as one Miller could have won. His career has also been marked by multiple failed doping tests, including the incident that caused his planned 2019 fight with Anthony Joshua to be cancelled.

Gassiev became the full WBA champion after Oleksandr Usyk vacated his heavyweight belts. The elevation came before Gassiev’s latest bout, when he stopped Peter Kadiru in the sixth round in July. He had previously won the title by knocking out Kubrat Pulev in December.

The Russian has also expressed interest in a unification fight with Agit Kabayel if the two sides can reach a firm agreement. Kabayel was upgraded to full WBC champion after stopping Zhilei Zhang in the sixth round in February 2025, having held the sanctioning body’s interim belt.