BUZZ Hrgovic says Gassiev 'doesn't belong' at heavyweight, tells him to go back to cruiserweight

Filip Hrgovic has spent his first months as a heavyweight champion praising rivals, but one titleholder got the opposite treatment. On the DAZN broadcast of Daniel Dubois's most recent win, Hrgovic aimed at WBA champion Murat Gassiev, according to Boxing News. "He is a midget from Russia. He doesn't belong here, he needs to go back to cruiserweight."

The comment lands at an awkward time for Gassiev. He was believed to have been lifted from WBA (Regular) champion to full WBA heavyweight champion when Oleksandr Usyk vacated his titles earlier this year. The decision to put a vacant WBA (Super) title on the upcoming Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight has since weakened his claim to be a genuine world champion.

Gassiev, a two-division champion who moved up from cruiserweight, defended the WBA belt with a knockout of Peter Kadiru in July. He is expected to fight again in the coming months, with Derek Chisora or Jarrell Miller the anticipated opponent.

Hrgovic has his own schedule to deal with. He won the vacant IBF title by stopping Moses Itauma in August and must now face mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez, the Cuban who stepped aside to let that fight happen. Our earlier reporting says his manager expects the defence in the first quarter of 2027, possibly in Zagreb, though nothing is signed.

Beyond Sanchez, Hrgovic has talked about unification. He has spoken of a possible rematch with WBO champion Dubois in the UK or a trip to Germany to face WBC champion Agit Kabayel, and has said he would rematch Itauma only once he is undisputed champion. Watch for the Sanchez date and venue, and whether Gassiev's next opponent is confirmed.