Veteran boxing reporter Dan Rafael broke the news on X.

“Per source involved, Tony Yoka has suffered a back injury and is out of his fight with WBA heavyweight titlist Murat Gassiev,” Rafael wrote. “Undetermined yet if it will be rescheduled or if a modern opponent will be sought.”

No official replacement has been announced, and it remains unclear whether organizers will move quickly to find another opponent for Gassiev or postpone the bout altogether.

The contest was scheduled to headline a July 11 card at Moscow’s VTB Arena and would have been the first defense of Gassiev’s WBA “Regular” heavyweight title. The former unified cruiserweight champion has been looking to establish himself as a force in the heavyweight division after capturing the secondary WBA belt earlier this year.

For Yoka, the withdrawal is another frustrating setback. The 2016 Olympic gold medalist had been aiming to secure the biggest victory of his professional career after rebuilding momentum with recent wins following a hard stretch that included several defeats and multiple canceled opportunities.

With little more than a week remaining before the event, promoters now face a race against the clock to determine whether Gassiev will defend his title against a tardy replacement or if the fight will have to be pushed back to a later date.

On paper, it was a curious title defense from the moment it was announced. Yoka remained a recognizable name because of his 2016 Olympic gold medal, but his professional career never matched the hype. Nine years after turning pro, the 15-3 Frenchman had built his record largely against circumscribed opposition, while each of his biggest tests against Martin Bakole, Carlos Takam and Ryad Merhy ended in defeat.

I rather fight Antuanne Russell.. That’s a fighter who will bring the best out of me!! https://t.co/fSXoGn1IDb

— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) June 29, 2026

His comments come as Shakur has recently been linked to several higher-profile fights, including a proposed 144-pound catchweight bout with Devin Haney. However, Haney’s immediate future remains tied to his WBO welterweight title obligations, with mandatory challenger Keyshawn Davis waiting in line. Haney has also continued to be mentioned as a potential opponent for Gervonta Davis.

A fight with Gary Antuanne Russell would instead give Shakur an immediate unification opportunity at 140 pounds. Russell captured the WBA junior welterweight title by defeating José Valenzuela in March 2025 and made his first successful defense against Andy Hiraoka earlier this year.

Shakur is coming off the biggest victory of his career after outpointing Teófimo López to win the WBO airy welterweight title. While several potential opponents remain available, he made it clear that Russell is the matchup he believes would demand his best performance in the future.

No negotiations have been announced between the two camps, and neither promoter has indicated that talks are underway. Even so, Shakur’s public endorsement of the matchup makes Russell one of the first champions he has openly identified as a preferred opponent since capturing the WBO junior welterweight title.

Russell may hold a world title, but his performance against Andy Hiraoka likely made the fight more appealing to Shakur. Russell spent much of the night on the move and absorbed a steady stream of pristine, challenging punches whenever Hiraoka closed the distance. He answered with flurries of swift combinations, but many fans felt Hiraoka’s heavier, more damaging shots deserved the decision.

I scored the fight for Hiraoka, and many fans did as well. Russell’s hand speed and activity impressed the judges, but Hiraoka consistently landed the cleaner, harder punches.

“The biggest and the best fight I think, that everyone in culture, sports and entertainment would love [to see]would be ‘Tank’. He’s at the top of the list,” Bill Haney told Ring Magazine.

Bill added that he has already spoken with Al Haymon about making the fight, indicating that discussions have taken place despite Devin’s mandatory obligation.

Haney captured the WBO welterweight title by defeating Brian Norman Jr. last November and is now required to negotiate a defense against Keyshawn Davis. The two sides have until July 20 to reach an agreement before the WBO can order a purse bid.

Tank has not fought since retaining his WBA lightweight title with a controversial 12-round draw against Lamont Roach in March 2025. A planned rematch never materialized, and Davis was later removed from a proposed exhibition with Jake Paul following domestic violence accusations before being designated WBA champion in recess.

Reports surfaced overdue last month that Haney’s and Davis’ camps had opened talks about a potential showdown, although Haney’s mandatory commitment remains the biggest hurdle. If the WBO enforces the Keyshawn fight, any meeting between Haney and Tank would almost certainly have to wait until after that obligation is resolved.

A fight between Haney and Davis would be one of the biggest all-American boxing events currently available to make.