IBA Promises Chisora December Bout, Opponent Unconfirmed

The International Boxing Association has promised Derek Chisora a bout in England in December, but the opponent and any title arrangements remain unconfirmed amid conflicting accounts about a possible meeting with WBA heavyweight champion Murat Gassiev. IBA President Umar Kremlev said at a press conference in Istanbul that the organisation had promised Chisora a bout and would stage it in England. Chisora also said he would fight in December, without naming an opponent in the remarks reported by multiple accounts. The IBA has said further details, including the opponent, venue and date, would be announced later. One report said Chisora had declared that he would face Gassiev in December and believed the IBA and WBA titles could be at stake. Other accounts described Gassiev as a possible opponent rather than a confirmed one. The available reports therefore do not establish that the matchup or a title fight has been finalized. Gassiev, in comments reported separately, said he was unsure a fight could happen because Chisora was not in the WBA ratings, while adding that circumstances could change.