Murat Gassiev vs Peter Kadiru

Murat Gassiev has been around quality world-class company, especially from his cruiserweight days, and even though he has not looked like a natural destroyer every night at heavyweight, he still carries that heavy-handed, compact menace. Peter Kadiru looks decent, but he is stepping in against a man who knows how to hurt people when they stand still too long.

Kadiru is the bigger heavyweight, long enough and tidy enough when he is allowed to box at his own pace. The problem is, Gassiev is not coming to admire his jab. He will edge in behind the high guard, cut the ring off, and start digging that horrible stuff downstairs. He’s got to keep his feet alive because if he backs up in straight lines, he’ll be wondering where the exit is.

Gassiev’s advantage is pressure with purpose. He is not flashy, but he shortens the distance well and punches through the target. Kadiru’s chance is to jab, grab when he has to, and make Gassiev reset over and over. But I do not fancy him holding that together once the engine starts coughing.

My pick is Gassiev by stoppage early or mid rounds. Kadiru will have moments early, but once Gassiev finds the ribs and starts landing that right hand over the top, the fight will be finished.