The stage is set, the stakes are towering, and the tension is unmistakable. WBA World Heavyweight champion Kubrat Pulev and powerhouse challenger Murat Gassiev met face-to-face for the first time on Thursday at a fiery press conference inside the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, setting the tone for an electric night of boxing at BETCITY IBA Pro 13 on Friday.
Their cold, unwavering stare-down, veteran steel against youthful menace, instantly signaled what fans can expect: a heavyweight collision with real consequences and global intrigue.
IBA: “This Is The Best Boxing In The World”
IBA President Umar Kremlev underlined the organisation’s mission to elevate both the sport and the fighters.
Our goal is simple, to give boxers and coaches the best opportunities and the biggest fights. This fight between Pulev and Gassiev is exactly that. Two tremendous ambassadors competing at the highest level for a world title.
IBA Pro Director General Al Siesta emphasised the historic significance of the bout.
This is the first heavyweight championship ever held in the UAE, a true 50-50 fight. I can’t split the two men. On December 12, they will deliver something spectacular.
Pulev: Veteran Champion Fighting For Legacy And Homeland
At 44, Kubrat “The Cobra” Pulev (32-3, 14 KOs) enters his first title defense since claiming the WBA crown earlier this year. With over 300 amateur bouts and two decades as a pro, Pulev’s durability and ring IQ remain his sharpest weapons.
To be a world champion was my dream and the dream of my father. I’ve come a long way — many amateur fights, many professional fights. I’m happy to have this title in Bulgaria, and I’m going to win this fight.
Pulev was granted special sanction to face Gassiev despite a mandatory order to fight rising British sensation Moses Itauma, meaning the winner must face Itauma next.
Gassiev: Ko Machine Chasing Heavyweight Immortality
Former unified cruiserweight champion Murat “Iron” Gassiev (32-2, 25 KOs) brings raw power, relentless pressure, and a heavyweight knockout record that demands respect. With victories over Yuniel Dorticos and Denis Lebedev, Gassiev now seeks to become Russia’s first heavyweight world champion in 13 years.
This is the heavyweight division, one punch can change everything: People say Pulev is old at 44, but it’s just numbers. He has great experience, he’s always in shape. I know this is one of the toughest fights of my career, and we are ready for everything.
A True 50-50 Fight
With contrasting styles, Pulev’s disciplined boxing vs. Gassiev’s brute force, and a title with major geopolitical and competitive weight behind it, Friday night’s main event promises intensity from the opening bell. History, legacy, and a mandatory blockbuster against Itauma all lie on the other side of the ropes. In Dubai, on December 12, something big is coming.
