Gassiev’s first coach: Murat is able to stop Usyk

Vitaly Slanov, the first coach of Russian Murat Gassiev, commented on the upcoming fight with Ukrainian Alexander Usyk for the title of the undisputed world champion in the cruiserweights.

"When your pupil is boxing, it's pride, responsibility, and, of course, the hope of victory. Apparently, it will be the most serious rival in his career," said Slanov. “Usyk is a superhero, an outstanding boxer. A cool amateur and a very cool pro. This will be the most important battle in Murat's career.

“You can defeat Usyk at the expense of spirit, will, desire, power and skill - everything must be in the complex. Murat has everything to win, in this battle he will be even better than in the previous one. He is younger than the opponent, he adds with each fight. Usyk is already 31, there is no such progress, and Gassiev is still 24, so we hope that he will show good progress again.

“Usyk can be knocked out, if you stop him. But if you break up, do not give him space, you can win on points as well. But, of course, to leave no doubt, we must win by knockout. I think Murat can do it.

“I think Usyk will demonstrate his movements and speed - he will try to hold out of all the exchanges and fight at a distance and play at the expense of the speed of the hands and fast legs, the higher class, to win on points.

“This will be a battle between two outstanding fighters, it will turn out to be great in any case. But I hope that the victory will still be for Gassiyev.

“Murat does not look like ordinary boxer who train in America and behave defiantly. He is very intelligent, he behaves with dignity and respects all his rivals. He also has good attitude towards Usyk, he really respects him as an outstanding fighter. And in any case there will be nothing personal in the fight, Murat simply will go out and do his job. The duel is unique, four belts are at stake. I think it is one of the greatest fights in history."