The Bell Will Ring! Gassiev vs. Kadiru VTB Arena Moscow Card Preview
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Prediction Record (118-28-9) with predictions (6-4-1) in feature fights.
Moscow, Russia (July 10th, 2026)– The International Boxing Association, in conjunction with Epic Sports & Entertainment, Queensberry promotions, and the IBF Boxing YouTube channel, will present an eight bouts card of professional boxing at VTB Arena in Moscow, Russian Federation, entitled ‘The Bell Will Ring’, featuring Murat ‘Iron’ Gassiev defending his World Boxing Association regular World heavyweight title against late replacement challenger Peter Kadiru, subbing for the injured Tony Yoka. The fight card will be streamed on DAZN.
This reporter is picking Murat Gassiev, 33-2 with 26 knockouts, age 32, 6’2 ½” with 76 inches of reach, Vladikavkaz, Russian Federation, to win by knockout over Peter Kadiru, 23-1 with 13 knockouts, age 29, with 76 inches of reach, Hamburg, Germany. Kadiru’s record includes a 56 second knockout loss to Argentine 27-15 journeyman Marcos Antonio Aumada in Hamburg. Gassiev, a former world cruiserweight champion, is world class and is facing a late minute unranked opponent. Known as ‘Iron’, Gassiev who has one punch knockout devastating ability, with a knockout percentage near 80 percent in bouts he wins.
The key question in this bout has to do with preparation time. Kadiru does have an eighth round stoppage of former cruiserweight champion Victor Emilio Ramirez in Germany in 2024. If Kadiru can stay away defensively, he could take the bout into the later rounds before being stopped. Gassiev’s most recent eleven bouts against less than world class opposition have lasted six rounds or less, and for Kadiru’s odds of lasting more than three or four rounds against Gassiev are remote before he takes the 10 count, or gets knocked down and stopped. Kadiru, a former German Heavyweight champion, has fought outside of Germany only three times, and outside of Europe only once. Gassiev has home advantage.
Gassiev is a -800 to -1200 odds betting favorite. Kadiru is a -500 to -650 underdog.
Artem Suslenkov, a former Russian amateur champion, is predicted to win by 10 rounds decision over Joe Joyce in the heavyweight preliminary to the main event.
Murad Khalidov is predicted to win by 10 rounds decision over Arslan Yallev is a 10 rounds heavyweight bout.
Aleksei Egorov is predicted to win by 10 rounds decision over David Dzukaev in a cruiserweight bout.
Sharabutdin Ataev is predicted to win by 10 rounds decision over Jose Uzcategui in a light heavyweight bout.
Tamerlan Ozdoev is predicted to win by knockout over Shivam of India.
Muslim Ghadzhimagmedov is predicted to win by stoppage over former world cruiserweight title challenger Kevin Martinez of Mexico.
Shokhabbos Shukurov, with 70 amateur bouts experience, is predicted to win by six rounds decision in his pro debut over Rafi Khchoyan of the Philippines in the opening bout.
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