The qualifying match for the status of mandatory challenger for the IBF world title, between the Ossetian athlete Murat Gassiev (Iron) and American boxer Isaiah Thomas will be held on December 18 in Las Vegas.
According to the athlete's coach Vitaly Slanov, the "promoters were forced to urgently find replacement to the previous opponent of Murat - Georgian athlete Iago Kiladze, who suddenly refused to fight, scheduled for December 28."
The victory in the upcoming bout gives the right to compete for the IBF world title with the current belt holder, Argentine boxer Victor Emilio Ramirez.
Being unbeaten, a 21- year-old Ossetian boxer Murat Gassiev, (first heavy weight (up to 90.7 kg.), is the IBF European champion among adults, the WBC world champion among youth. Gassiev is on the third position in the ranking of the International Boxing Federation (IBF).
The athlete has never been defeated - 22 duels, 16 wins by knockout.
The coaches of the athlete are- Honored coach of the Republic of South Ossetia and Russia Vitaly Slanov and master of sports Alexander Tedeev, a well-known boxing trainer Abel Sanchez.
A 25-year-old American boxer Isaiah Thomas is also unbeaten in the professional ring.
