As the organization announced on Wednesday, WBA heavyweight champion Murat Gassijev will defend his title for the first time against 2016 Olympic gold medalist Tony Yoka on July 11 in Moscow, headlining the IBA Pro 19 gala.

The card is co-promoted by IB Challenger, Epic Sports & Entertainment, Patriot Promotion, Ural Boxing Promotions, Queensberry Promotions and Yoka Boxing in association with Winline.

Gassiev returns home with the belt

Gassiev (33-2, 26 KO) won the WBA belt with a sixth-round knockout of Kubrat Pulev at IBA Pro 13 in Dubai last December, becoming the first Russian heavyweight world titleholder in 13 years. The 32-year-old from North Ossetia already held the unified cruiserweight titles before he started moving up in weight, with his only career defeats coming against Aleksander Usyk in the final of the World Boxing Super Series 2018 and Otto Wallin in 2021.

“It’s an honor to defend my WBA heavyweight world title for the first time, and doing it at home in front of my Russian fans makes it very special,” Gassiev said in a statement released by the promotion. “Tony Yoka is a great champion, an Olympic gold medalist, a massive, forceful heavyweight with earnest skills. I have huge respect for him.”

Yoka in pursuit of French history

Yoka (15-3, 12 KO) won super heavyweight gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics before turning professional later that year. The 6-foot-10 Parisian, who trains under Don Charles and is promoted by Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, would become France’s first professional heavyweight world champion with victory.

The 33-year-old has lost three of his last seven fights, including a decision loss to Carlos Takam in 2022 and consecutive defeats to Martin Bakole and Ryad Merhy. Since linking up with Charles, he has won three straight games, most recently stopping Petar Milas in 2025.

“I intend to win this title for all my people in France and Congo who not only support me, but still believe that I will become a professional world champion,” Yoka said in a statement. “I have been working strenuous with Don Charles for over two years and I am ready to present the changes in my professional boxing to the boxing world.”

Warren added: “It’s a great fight and at Queensberry we really believe our man will win. Tony and Don Charles have been working extremely strenuous in the gym so we have every hope that they will go to Russia and sort out a tough opponent in Gassiev and bring the title back to France.”

ONLY on the 19th

The event is held under the banner of IBA Pro, the professional arm of the International Boxing Association, headed by Umar Kremlev. Card and broadcast details have not yet been announced.

“Murat Gassiev and Tony Yoka represent the absolute pinnacle of boxing excellence,” Kremlev said in a statement. “One an incredible WBA world champion defending his crown at home, the other a legendary Olympic gold medalist fighting for professional glory.”

IBA Pro 19 will take place on Saturday, July 11 in Moscow. Tickets are sold as part of a promotion.

When asked about reports that Pacheco was leaving Matchroom for Golden Boy, Hearn rejected the suggestion.

“It’s one of the strangest rumors I’ve ever heard. It’s definitely not true. Diego Pacheco’s future will be revealed. I’ll tell you next week, but it could even happen in the next 24, 48 hours,” Hesrn told iFL TV.

Hearn also revealed that Pacheco’s next fight is scheduled for Los Angeles, where he will headline his event.

“He will be fighting in Los Angeles on his own show,” Hearn said of Pacheco.

The comments come after a period of uncertainty about Pacheco’s immediate future. The undefeated challenger remains one of Matchroom’s top American fighters and a significant figure in the super middleweight division.

While Hearn ruled out reports of Golden Boy, he did not confirm Pacheco’s long-term promotional plans. Asked whether Pacheco had extended its contract with Matchroom, Hearn said the situation remained unresolved.

“He has one fight left with us. We’ll see,” Hearn said.

Hearn did not reveal Pacheco’s opponent but made it clear that an announcement is expected soon as Matchroom continues to build its summer schedule.

The 25-year-old is expected to return to Los Angeles for the fight, which will be his first fight since his unanimous decision victory over Trevor McCumby earlier this year.

Oleksandr Usyk was given a strict deadline and insisted that he either continue to fight his mandatory challenger or vacate one of his three world heavyweight titles.

Last Saturday, the 39-year-old faced a more tough than expected task, defeating Rico Verhoeven in the 11th round, thanks to which he defended the WBC, IBF and WBA belts.

Although the performance was below his typically lofty standards, Usyk nonetheless showed his winning mentality, defeating the Dutch kickboxer with a breathtaking uppercut.

After a great account of himself, Verhoeven regained his balance and seemed to weather the storm, but referee Mark Lyson waved him off.

Both fighters were then joined in the ring by “interim” WBC champion Agit Kabayel, who rightly demanded a shot at the champion.

The 33-year-old has held his “interim” belt since February 2025, that is he stopped Zhilei Zhang with a wild body attack in round six.

He then arranged a homecoming show in Germany with the assist of Queensberry promoter Frank Warren, who was particularly adamant that Kabayel must fight for the full WBC title in his next appearance.

The German challenger said talkSPORTMeanwhile, he strongly believes that the champion will vacate the WBC belt and turn away from the potential fight.

“Honestly, I think Oleksandr will leave. I think that’s what Frank is talking about [the fight] with Usyk’s team and we will wait a week.

“I think we have a week to see if Usyk says something and then we’ll see what [happens].

“But in my opinion, Usyk won’t want to fight for me. I want to fight Usyk.”

If Usyk relinquishes the WBC title and allows Kabayel to advance or fight for the vacant belt, a rematch with Verhoeven will certainly be the next best option for the Ukrainian.