Boxing: WBA title confusion clouds Anthony Joshua’s plan to face Gassiev next

Confusion over the WBA heavyweight title has clouded British boxer Anthony Joshua’s plan to face Russian boxer Murat Gassiev next, leaving the proposed unification bout in doubt.

Speaking on the development, Gassiev criticised the WBA for not elevating him to full world championship status when Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt.

The 32-year-old said it was “strange” that Joshua vs. Fury was sanctioned as a fight for the ‘super’ title, effectively reducing him (Gassiev) to a secondary belt-holder.

As a result, Gassiev believes he should now be made the mandatory challenger for the winner of Joshua vs Fury.

“This situation is interesting, a little bit strange, with the belt,” Gassiev told Sky Sports.

“When Usyk left his belt, I woke up as a super champion. Go to sleep, wake up, I am again the regular champion. It’s okay. I am not angry. I understand.

“A present from me. Just one thing. Who wins (between Joshua and Fury) after the fight, I need to fight with this guy for sure,” he said.