Former unified cruiserweight world champion Murat Gassiev is scheduled to return to the ring on March 3 in Yerevan.
Gassiev will face American heavyweight contender Mike Balogun in the main event of a card taking place at the Demirchyan Arena.
The event’s general partner is the Liga Stavok betting company, while the organizers are promotional outfits Patriot and Ural Boxing Promotions.
Gassiev is currently the Eurasian Boxing Parliament (EPB) heavyweight champion.
Gassiev (29-1, 22 KOs) moved up to the heavyweight division in 2020, after more than a two-year layoff due to injuries and promotional disputes.
He lost his unified cruiserweight crown, by way of decision, in a high stakes clash with Oleksandr Usyk in the final bout of the 2018 World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight tournament.
Gassiev, 29-years-old, has not been very active with only a single fight in 2020, 2021 and 2022. He last saw action in August of 2022 with a first round knockout of Carlouse Welch.
Balogun (20-0, 16 KOs) is a rugged heavyweight with heavy hands.
In December of 2021, he pulled off an unexpected upset when he knocked out unbeaten Trey Lippe Morrison – son of Tommy Morrison – in one round. Last year, he picked up two more knockout victories inside of two rounds.