Is anybody else still pissed about this slab of choice beef sitting on the shelf for 2½ years of the juicy, succulent prime rib of his prime in his mid-twenties? Because I'm madder than a diseased cow. Worst part is there's no scapegoat, nobody to shift the blame onto. Just the usual cocktail of boxing maladies - lots of false starts and untimely cancellations/postponements due to injury (mostly), politicking, and whatever else...throw Covid into the mix for the last nine months. It just sucks. He was supposed to debut at HW before Usyk, remember that? He should have long since pounded his way into contention alongside his Ukrainian rival, the best two cruisers of their era racing to make history and collect the belts ahead of their inevitable high-stakes rematch. Apparently he's returning sometime "in spring" on a Ural Promotions card and will begin training in the US with Abel early in 2021. Skimpy news is better than none, I guess - but I can't believe the only results this beast has produced since 2018 has been stomping a hole in Nuri freaking Seferi.
I was a sailor once...buggery is a way of life on ships, I'm afraid. Getting back to Gassiev...Usyk took his soul. He doesn't want to fight anymore.
Oh so that's all...you don't suppose lengthy repairs to his shoulder (and convalescence from them) have been much of a factor?
Gassiev will take his time slowly at heavyweight i think. I don't think he will fight a top 15 in the next year or so. I would love to see him vs some of this eras top 15 but i don't see it.
He was supposed to have fought Joyce in November...and before that Dawejko in July. I don't think he's planning on taking it all that despacito.
For 2 1/2 years? No. Unless they grafted a new arm on his shoulder. COVID has prevented a lot of fights, but he could have had at least 1 fight this year.
I'm well aware. I also realize it could be worse (like, Pirog's back worse) - but short of having a career altogether cut short in one's prime, I can't think of anything more frustrating than having zero fights during a large swath of what is most fighters' peak. And of all the guys whose peaks I'd be unhappy to miss out seeing, Gassiev is way up there.
