Former world champion in two versions, Russian Murat (IRON) Gassiev won the second fight in the heavyweight category and won the title of Asian champion according to the World Boxing Association (WBA). In a 10-round match held in Moscow, he won against German Michael Wallisch by technical knockout in the fourth round.
Gassiev carried out several powerful blows to the German's body, after which he staggered. But Gassiev's blows to the head became critical for Wallisch. The German fell near the ropes, the referee counted the knockdown.
Wallisch got up, but the Russian heavyweight rushed to finish him off. Despite the fact that there were only a few seconds left before the gong, the referee decided to stop the fight.
Among the fans at the boxing evening in Moscow were President of South Ossetia Anatoly Bibilov, Ambassador of the Republic to Russia Znaur Gassiev and others.
Initially, Gassiev's opponent was supposed to be German Ercan Teper, but a coronavirus was detected in his team and Wallisch replaced the boxer.
Gassiev held the second fight more than a two-year break. Last October, he beat Albanian Nuri Seferi by knockout in the first round in the first heavyweight fight. The last time before this, the Russian entered the ring in July 2018 in the final of the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) against the Ukrainian Alexander Usik, then the Russian boxer lost by unanimous decision. After that, Gassiev announced the transition to the heavyweight category, but injuries and postponements of the fight prevented the athlete from making his debut, and he was forced to miss more than two years.
The 27-year-old Gassiev won his 28th victory (21 by KO) with one defeat. In 2016, he won the International Boxing Federation (IBF) World Heavyweight Championship by defeating compatriot Denis Lebedev, then defended his belt once. In 2018, Gassiev added the WBA belt to the IBF title, defeating the Cuban Uniel Dorticos. Having lost to Usik, the Russian parted with two world titles.
The 35-year-old Wallisha has 22 wins (15 by knockout) and five defeats. He previously held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) European title and the GBU minor version of the world title. I performed in Russia for the first time. Wallisha's mother, originally from Russia, moved to Germany due to financial problems before the birth of her child, who was raised in a German family.
