Dubai’s about to trade silk shirts for split lips. On Friday, December 12, the IBA Pro 13 show at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium will stage a proper throwback scrap: Kubrat “The Cobra” Pulev (32-3, 14 KOs) defending his WBA Heavyweight World Title against Murat “Iron” Gassiev (32-2, 25 KOs).
Forget red carpets — this one’s got the scent of bad blood and big money.
The heavyweight division’s been playing musical chairs for years, but this one cuts through the noise. Pulev’s old-school and cold-blooded, 44 and still built like granite. Gassiev’s the younger, meaner Russian puncher who hits like he’s trying to erase people from memory. Two killers, one crown, and one beautiful desert city ready to host a storm.
The Cobra’s Last Hunt or Gassiev’s Arrival Party?
Pulev’s been around long enough to see generations rise and fall — fought Wladimir Klitschko, stared down Joshua, and outlasted Mahmoud Charr to claim the strap in Sofia last year. Now the old man’s back under the lights, defending a title that’s passed through the hands of Ali, Holyfield, and Lewis.
“It’s been a long and challenging wait,” Pulev said. “I respect Gassiev — he’s powerful and dangerous — but I’m ready. Focused. Grateful to the IBA and Epic Sports for this fight.”
The Bulgarian might not move like he used to, but that jab’s still stiff as cement and that chin still uncracked. He’s the type of bloke who’ll stand center ring, smile through a right hand, and send one back harder.
Gassiev: Cold, Ruthless, and Hunting History
Murat Gassiev doesn’t talk much — doesn’t have to. The man’s fists do his press conferences.
A former unified cruiserweight champ and knockout merchant, Gassiev’s been steamrolling heavyweights since moving up. He’s not just powerful — he’s cruel with it. The kind of puncher who doesn’t just aim to win, he aims to end careers.
“I believe I can knock out any heavyweight on the planet,” Gassiev said. “I’ll bring the heat to Dubai and bring the title home to Russia.”
That 78% KO rate isn’t padded. His body shots sound like gunfire. And with his 6’3” frame and that nasty left hook, he’s hunting Pulev like prey.
Itauma Waiting in the Wings
While these two monsters tear into each other, 20-year-old phenom Moses Itauma sits ringside, licking his lips. IBA and Epic Sports confirmed the rising Brit will likely land on the undercard — with the winner of Pulev-Gassiev waiting for him in 2026.
“Itauma will have to wait his turn,” said Epic Sports boss Ivaylo Gotzev. “We’ve got the WBA’s blessing. Pulev vs Gassiev is signed, sealed, and sanctioned — and this is the one that resets the division.”
IBA Pro’s Al Siesta didn’t mince words either:
“Murat’s coming to knock Pulev out — and then Itauma can have what’s left.”
Sounds like the kid might want to pack a notebook instead of gloves.
Heavyweight Mayhem in the Desert
This ain’t just another flashy Dubai show. It’s the IBA and Epic Sports flexing muscle — real boxing, not exhibition fluff.
They’ve got politics out the window, belts on the line, and egos ready to explode. And the timing’s perfect: the heavyweight division’s on fire again. Usyk sits on the undisputed throne, but this fight crowns the man right behind him — and sets up monsters like Joshua, Fury, and Itauma for 2026 chaos.
IBA boss Umar Kremlev summed it up: “Pulev vs Gassiev is a fight for the history books — a war of skill, power, and pride.”
Dubai’s about to host a proper scrap — not influencer fluff, not padded cards — a real heavyweight showdown.
Pulev’s the old cobra with one last strike left. Gassiev’s the iron hammer trying to make history for Russia.
And if Itauma’s watching close, he’ll see exactly what world-level pain looks like.
They call Pulev ‘The Cobra’ but I think he’s just slow now. His punches don’t scare people anymore. Gassiev got that look like he don’t care and just wants to destroy. He’s taking the belt.
Gassiev gonna win because Russians train harder. They don’t mess around with media stuff. Pulev talks too much. Gassiev stays quiet and knocks people out. That’s the kind of fighter I respect more. 🔥
All this talk about belts and history but we know it’s all politics. IBA and Epic just want cash. Pulev vs Gassiev is about money, not glory. They using these fighters like chess pieces.
You got a point. These big promotions always say it’s about pride and fans, but it’s all sponsors and headlines. Real boxing died years ago when money started running it.
I think Itauma should fight now and not wait until 2026. Why make him sit back and watch? If he’s that good, put him in the ring. Waiting just makes it boring for fans.
Jane, he’s only 20. Let the kid learn before he gets hurt. Pulev and Gassiev would crush him right now. Better to wait than be a one-fight wonder.
Everyone acting like this Gassiev guy is a beast, but Pulev been in deeper water. You don’t survive Charr and Joshua by luck. He’s got tricks Gassiev never seen before. Old school wins this one.
I don’t trust this Dubai stuff. Feels like a money grab. Real fights should happen in real boxing places like Vegas or London. This is just a show for rich folks, not boxing fans.
They keep saying Gassiev hits hard, but who has he fought since moving up to heavyweight? Nobody big. Pulev ain’t scared of body shots, and if Gassiev thinks he’s ending this early, he’s dreaming.
Pulev is way too old to be champion now. I don’t care if he fought Klitschko or Joshua before, he’s 44 and that’s ancient in boxing. Gassiev is younger and stronger, and time always wins.
Age don’t mean nothing if you still got the power 💪 Pulev been through wars and still standing. Gassiev might punch hard, but experience counts more in a real fight.