Joe Joyce could be upgraded to the main event against Murat Gassiev after Tony Yoka withdrew from their scheduled fight due to injury.
Gassiev was set to face Yoka on July 11 at VTB Arena in Moscow, but the French heavyweight has pulled out after suffering a back injury during training camp.
IBA Pro organizers are now looking for a replacement opponent. The full event could still be rescheduled, but alternative names are being considered first.
Joyce is currently due to fight unbeaten Artem Suslenkov on the undercard. He is now viewed as the most likely option to step in against Gassiev, with Suslenkov expected to receive a new opponent if the change is made.
The 40-year-old Joyce has not fought since losing on points to Filip Hrgovic in Manchester last year. That defeat was his fourth loss in five fights, but a clash with Gassiev would give him an immediate chance to revive his career.
Gassiev has held the WBA Regular heavyweight title since stopping Kubrat Pulev in Dubai. With Oleksandr Usyk recently vacating the full WBA title, Gassiev was elevated to a full-fledged WBA world heavyweight champion.
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