MURAT GASSIEV WINS THE WBA TITLE OVER KUBRAT PULEV BY A ONE PUNCH KO – VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Abu Dhabi (December 13th, 2025)– Former International Boxing Federation World cruiserweight champion Murat Gassiev, now campaigning as a heavyweight, moved a step closer to a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk with a sixth round knockout of Kubrat Pulev, to win the regular World Boxing Association World Heavyweight title, at Duty Free Tennis Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Friday, December 12, 2025.
Gassiev, 33-2 with 26 knockouts, Vladikavkaz, Russian Federation, knocked out Pulev with a short George Foreman style left hook to chin, where Pulev was counted on his back at 50 seconds of the sixth round by referee Rafael Ramos, who waved the bout over. With the knockdown, Pulev trailed 60-53, 59-54, and 58-55 on the scorecards, meaning even if Pulev had gotten up, he could no longer have won the bout on the scorecards if Gassiev had remained on his feet. The bout was at least technically interesting until Gassiev landed the one punch shot. Pulev was behind by one point on one scorecard at the time the bout ended.
At 32, Gassiev, who has 12 round decision losses to Usyk as a cruiserweight, and Otto Wallin as a heavyweight, is looking upward. Pulev, 44, had been inactive for over a year since winning a 12 round decision over Mahmoud Charrin Sofia, Bulgaria, in December 2024.
In the main event, 14-0 Russian southpaw Vadim Musaev of Hollywood, Florida, stopped 22-3 Tulani Mbenge of Mdantsane Eastern Cape, South Africa, at 1:54 of the third round to win the IBO World Welterweight title. On the undercard, 12-0 lightweight prospect Bakhodor Usmonov of Dushanbe, Tajikistan, won a 12 round majority decision over 29-8-2 southpaw Maxi Hughes of Rossington Yorkshire, United Kingdom. 17-1 Georgian super lightweight southpaw Khariton Agrba won a 12 round decision over 18-3 Ruben Neri Munoz of Buenos Aires, Argentina, in a rematch of a bout won by Munoz in Russia this past July.
Now fighting of Dubai 14-1 Russian lightweight Daud Alaev stopped 20-2 southpaw Dave Penalosa of Cebu City, Philippines, when referee Leszek Jankowiak waved the bout off after six rounds. Muhammad Ali’s grandson, 12-2-1 middleweight prospect Nico Ali Walsh of Las Vegas, Nevada, opened the card by winning a six round unanimous decision over 12-4-1 Jeremiah Sserwadda of Uganda.
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Abu Dhabi (December 13th, 2025)– Murat Gassiev defeated Kubrat Pulev with a stunning one-punch knockout in the sixth round on December 12, 2025, to claim the WBA (Regular) heavyweight title in Dubai.
The fight was a cautious, tactical affair until Gassiev landed a brutal left hook that sent Pulev crashing to the canvas. Gassiev is now the WBA (Regular) Heavyweight Champion and back in the mix for major opportunities in the heavyweight division.
Pulev was arguably ahead on the scorecards in a cagey fight, but an unexpected and perfectly timed left hook from Gassiev ended the bout abruptly. Pulev was unable to beat the referee’s count.
Result: Murat Gassiev won by knockout (KO) at 0:50 of Round 6.
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