32 year old Swede Otto Wallin secured a twelve round split decision win over Murat Gassiev at the Regnum Carya Hotel in Antalya, Turkey on September 30, 2023 in a significant heavyweight bout. The judges’ scores were 115-113 in favor of Wallin and an inexplicable card of 117-111 for Gassiev, and 115-113 for Wallin.
“We don’t agree with the decision, the judges made the wrong decision. It looks like a robbery. Murat won at least eight rounds,” said Gassiev’s team in media statements.
Wallin(26-1, 14 KOs) had won five consecutive fights since his defeat to current WBC world champion Tyson Fury, while Gassiev(30-2, 23 KO) had won four straight bouts after his loss to Oleksandr Usyk in their cruiserweight unification fight in 2018. Usyk currently holds multiple heavyweight titles, including the WBO, IBF, IBO, and WBA championships.
During the fight, Wallin’s size, reach, and movement troubled Gassiev. Wallin appeared to hurt Gassiev during the sixth round but couldn’t finish him off. Although Gassiev landed some power shots during the bout, he couldn’t hurt Wallin, who absorbed the punches well and never seemed to be in serious trouble.
As the fight progressed, Wallin maintained a consistent jab while Gassiev pressed forward. Wallin was busier and more accurate with his punches, while Gassiev often threw one punch at a time. Despite Wallin appearing to tire in the championship rounds, Gassiev couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity.
Wallin’s victory in this crossroads matchup could potentially propel him to more significant opportunities in the world of top heavyweight boxing.
“I will not rematch him. Today everyone saw everything. I am stronger, a rematch is useless,” said Wallin in media reports after the match.
Edited by Judy J. Rotich and Newsdesk Manager
