By knocking out the previously unbeaten Mike Balogun (20-1, 16 KOs) in just two rounds, Murat Gassiev (30-1, 22 KOs) kept up his flawless start to life as a heavyweight.
Gassiev has not competed since moving up from cruiserweight, but at only 29 years old, he still has time to plan an assault on the top of the class.
The southpaw Balogun performed admirably in the first round, fighting from a distance and occasionally starting fights that made Gassiev back off.
Throughout the second round, the 29-year-old Gassiev followed Balogun, watching for a chance to attack Balogun. Midway through the round, Gassiev threw an overhand right cross to the head, sending Balogun to the ground. At 1:30, referee Salvador Salva counted Balogun out.
When Gassiev last competed on August 26 in 2022, he defeated Carlouse Welch, 42, via first-round knockout. After losing to Oleksandr Usyk in a bout for the unified world cruiserweight championship in July 2018, he has won his previous four fights. After defeating Balogun, Gassiev may be given the opportunity to compete against top heavyweight contenders among other high-profile opponents.
Image Credit: ESPN