Manny Pacquiao, Derek Chisora Join Murat Gassiev Vs Peter Kadiru Weigh-In
The official weigh-in took place at Depo Tri Vokzala, where WBA heavyweight champion Murat Gassiev (33-2, 26 KOs) weighed in at 104.205kg (229.7 pounds) before defending his title against Germany’s Peter Kadiru (23-1, 13 KOs), who weighed in at 7 kg (216 pounds).. Kadiru will enter the ring weighing approx. we were 12.5kg (27.6 pounds) after replacing Tony Yoka, who withdrew from the fight due to a back injury.
Gassiev and Kadiru then went head to head for the last time before the main event. Gassiev is making his first defense of the WBA heavyweight title he won by stopping Kubrat Pulev in six rounds at IBA PRO 13 last December.
Visiting Russia for the first time, eight-division world champion Pacquiao praised the reception he received.
“I am very happy and surprised by the warm welcome from the Russian people. This is my first time here, and it is a good thing for me.”
Pacquiao believes this event offers much more than a title fight.
“Not only is it a big event, but there are a lot of great fights on the card. I’m 100 percent sure that the fans will be happy.”
He also said that his presence will encourage Filipino fighters who will compete in the program.
Former heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs said he was eager to watch Gassiev’s return while supporting Joe Joyce ahead of the main event.
“I told Joe when I saw him: use your jab. He’s tall, and he’s very strong. He’s got SugarHill with him now, so I’m sure Sugar will add something and make him even better.”
Another focal point on the scales saw unbeaten Russian Artem Suslenkov and Joe Joyce go head-to-head ahead of their WBA Continental heavyweight title fight. The Rio 2016 Olympic silver medalist is aiming to return to world title contention, while Suslenkov has the chance to secure the biggest win of his professional career.
Chisora pointed the opportunity now in front of Kadiru after a late change of the enemy.
“Peter has a big chance now, and he’s not going to miss it. You never know in boxing. That’s what we know about boxing, you never know.”
The British heavyweight also identified Daniel Dubois and Moses Itauma as two fellow heavyweights who caught his attention.
“Moses and Daniel are the boys to watch now, they are the two boys in the division who can trouble anyone.”
The undercard features Pavel Sosulin vs. Eddie Colmenares for the IBA.PRO International super welterweight title, Muslim Gadzhimagomedov vs. Kevin Martinez in a 12-round heavyweight title fight, and Murad Khalidov vs. Arslan Yallyev in the all-Russian heavyweight championship.
With the weight off, attention now turns to Saturday night, when Gassiev makes his first WBA heavyweight title defense against Kadiru, while Joyce and Suslenkov meet in the WBA Continental heavyweight championship.
