The Past Week in Action 6 JULY 2026

It was another busy week in boxing with world title fights, impressive performances from rising prospects, dramatic knockouts, and significant results that reshaped the landscape across multiple weight divisions. Here’s a look back at the biggest stories and standout performances from around the world over the past seven days.

HIGHLIGHTS:

-Murat Gassiev stops substitute Peter Kadiru in defence of the WBA heavyweight title 

-Artem Suslenko beats Joey Joyce in the eleventh round to bring down the curtain on Joyce’s career

-Sharabutdin Ataev outpoints Jose Uzcategui in a WBA light heavyweight eliminator

-Granit Stein wins a split decision over four time champion Felix Sturm in what is said to be Sturm’s last fight 

MAJOR SHOWS:

JULY 11

MOSCOW, RUSSIA: MURAT GASSIEV (34-2) W TKO 6 PETER KADIRU (23-2). HEAVY: ARTEM SUSLENKO (15-0) W TKO 11 JOE JOYCE (16-5).HEAVY: ARSLAN YALLYEV (18-1) W TKO 3 MURAD KHALIDOV (12-1). CRUISER: ALEKSEI EGOROV (13-3) W DAVID DZUKAEV (11-0). LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT: SHARABUTDIN ATAEV (10-0) W PTS 12 JOSE UZCATEGUI (34-6). LIGHT: TAMERLAN OZDOEV (6-0) W TKO 8 SHIVAN JANGRAHOST(13-5-1).HEAVY: MUSLIM GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (7-0) W RTD 8 KEVIN MARTINEZ (14-2). 

Gassiev vs. Kadiru

In his first defence of the WBA title GASSIEV stops substitute KADIRU in the sixth round.

Round 1

Both working their jab early but without much strength just prodding. Gassiev was mixing in hooks to the body but with no snap in the punches. Kadiru was on the back foot and Gassiev curved a right around Kadiru’s guard but the pace was slow.

Score: 10-9 Gassiev

Round 2

Kadiru fired a burst of jabs but Gassaiev blocked them with his gloves. Gassiev’s jabs sent Kadiru onto the back foot until Kadiru came fortward throwing hooks. Gassiev was curving shots around Kadiru’s guard again with both hands and Kadiri retreated to the ropes and Gassiev scored with hard hooks to head and body   

Score: 10-9 Gassaiev Gassiev 20-18

Round 3

Again Kadiru came out throwing jabs and connected with a sharp right uppercut but then backed off as Gassaiev connected with a couple of hooks. Gassiev landed four rights and a left with Kadiru standing against the ropes behind a high guard and not throwing counters. Kadiru backed to a corner and again Gassaiev unloaded on him. Kadiru boxed his way out of the corner with jabs but there was no snap in the punches. Gassiev continued to fire clubbing punches to head and body. Kadiru showed some fire at the end of the round forcing Gassiev back.

Score: 10-9 Gassiev Gassiev 30-27

Round 4

Kadiru made a positive start again coming forward throwing jabs and a couple of hooks. Both of them were firing hooks before Gassaiev blasted Kadiru with burst of punches. Gassiev landed a right uppercut but Kadiru was countering and having his best round and drove Gassiev back but Kadiru had accepted the fight at short notice and already looked tired. A closer round but Gassiev just had the edge.

Score: 10-9 Gassaiev Gassaiev 40-36

Round 5

Some good jabbing and hooks from Kadiru and he was forcing Gassiev back. Gassiev scored with a hard uppercut and backed Kadiru to a corner and got though with clubbing shots. Kadiru fired back but Gassiev kept coming and getting through with punches to head and body. 

Score: 10-9 Gassiev Gassiev 50-45

Round 6

Kadiru came fortward scoring with some good straight shots but Gassiev drove him back with jabs down the middle and hooks to the body. Kadiru backed into a corner and Gassiev bombarded him with hooks and uppercuts and with nothing coming back from Kabiru his corner climbed to the ring apron waiving a towel.

A predictably mediocre title fight. Gassiev had not won the title but was upgraded from holder of the WBA secondary title to champion when Oleksandr Usyk relinquished the title. He was to have defended against No 14 Tony Yoka but Yoka had to pull out due to a back injury. There was talk of Joe Joyce taking Yoka’s place but in the end unrated Peter Kadiru was the final choice. Gassiev, 32, a former holder of the IBF and WBA cruiserweight titles, could now be ordered to face WBA No 1 Moses Itauma a very winnable fight for Itauma. Kadiru took the fight at very short notice and was a career highest 257 ¼ lbs-28 lbs heavier than Gassiev and 17 lbs heavier than in his last fight in May. Obviously he was not in top condition but even if he was there is nothing in his carefully crafted record to say he would have stood a chance against Gassiev

Suslenko vs. Joyce

SUSLENKO beats JOYCE when Joyce surrenders in the eleventh round. Joyce was 5” taller, 52 lbs heavier and 10 years older than Suslenko so it would have made sense for the Russian to use plenty of movement getting inside using his faster hands to score and not get dragged into a brawl. In fact Suslenko choose more often dart inside and work on Joyce’s body and deny Joyce the use of his longer reach and punching room. Over the first two rounds Joyce was coming forward jabbing strongly and firing straight rights. Suslenko had a good third landing left hooks and overhand rights and a burst of punches to the body before finishing the round with a solid left hook. Joyce kept working with his jab and long rights in the fourth but his knees dipped when Suslenko landed a right to the head. Joyce recovered from that and scored with jabs and short rights in the fifth and sixth scoring with short clubbing hooks. Suslenko was just putting his head down and streaming forward in the seventh as they both struggled to find punching room. Joyce outworked Suslenko in the eighth fighting on the back foot landing jabs and straight rights and leaning on Suslenko trying to use his extra weight to weas Suslenko down. Suslenko just kept motoring forward in the ninth with Joyce meeting him with counters and Suslenkov still having occasional unsuccess with overhand rights if Joyce was slow to retract his jab. Suslenko was still coming forward ignoring Joyce’s jab in the tenth. He was just putting his head down and driving forward like a bull and he ended the round strongly ducking inside to bang away at Joyce’s body Both looked tired but Suslenko was able to connect with long rights. Joyce looked lively enough at the start of the eleventh pushing out his jabs but Suslenko just kept lunging in and landed some lefts and rights. Joyce was actually looking quite spry circling Suslenko dancing on his toes. Suslenko landed a series of lefts and rights to the head and with over a minute left in the round Joyce backed away waiving his right arm as if surrendering. He backed towards a corner with his arm raised and as the fight had not been stopped Suslenko lunged in landing a pair of rights before the referee jumped in and stopped the fight. Huge win for Suslenko as his only rating was No 10 with the WBA. Inactivity and 4 losses in his last 5 fights meant Joyce had dropped out of the ratings but he was still a name and Suslenko will now probably be rated by the other three major bodies. At 40 retirement would be the best option for Joyce. As an amateur he won a silver medal at the 2016 Olympic Games, gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and European Games and bronze medals at the World Championships and European Championships. As a professional he beat the current WBO heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois and former WBO champion Joseph Parker

Yallev vs. 

YALLEV stops KHALIDOV in the third. Yallev used his longer reach to control the exchanges in the first. He continued to outscore Khalidov in the second and floored him late in the round with only the bell saving Khalidov. He had Khalidov reeling in the third and the referee stopped the fight. Twelfth inside the distance win for the 6’5” Yallyev whose only loss is a points defeat against Tony Yoka. Khalidov holds wins over Sergey Kuzmin and Jose Larduet.

Dzukaev vs. Egorov

DZUKAEV wins on points over EGOROV. This was a brutal battle. Egorov marched forward behind a high guard forcing Dzukaev to the ropes and landing clubbing short shots. Dzukaev wanted to box but could not keep Egorov out. Despite that he made Egorov pay for his aggression landing hard counters from both hands. Those counters took their toll and Egorov suffered a knockdown and a cut over his right eye. He kept marching forward but it was Dzukaev who finished strongest. The split decision went to Dzukaev 95-94 twice and 95-94 for Egorov. First ten round fight for 6’3” Dzukaev. Egorov is 1-3 in his last 4 fights.

Ataev vs. Uzcategui

ATAEV decisions UZCATEGUI in a WBA eliminator. This was the fight of the night. Twelve all-action rounds of box/fighting. Both showed quality and power with fierce exchanges in every round. Experienced former IBF super middle champion Uzcategui made the better start fighting on the front foot jabbing strongly and finding gaps for hooks. Ataev relied heavily on his jab but consistently followed through with flashing combinations from both hands. The pace was fast over the whole twelve rounds with first one fighter and then the other on the front foot until the other banged back to force his way forward. Ataev’s jab gave him the edge and he often shook Uzcategui with straight rights and uppercuts but Uzcategui fought back every time getting inside and scoring with short jabs, hooks and uppercuts. Ataev lasted the pace better and had Uzcategui reeling in the tenth and eleventh but when it looked as though the referee might stop the fight Uzcategui banged back to force Ataev to retreat. Ataev won on scores of 119-109 twice and 118-110 but those scores are harsh on Uzcategui and hide just how hard and close this fight. A real test for Ataev and he came through it well.  

Ozdoev vs. Shivan

OZDOEV wins the vacant WBA Asia East title with an eighth round stoppage of India’s SHIVAN. Ozdoev found southpaw Shivan a tricky customer but pressed hard all the way. Shivan was constantly circling the ring throwing pounces from a variety of angles and found plenty of gaps in Ozdoev’s guard. The unbeaten Russian lost a point in the seventh although it was not clear why. Ozdoev finally caught up with an exhausted Shivan in the eighth flooring him with a left hook to the body. Shivan went down on his hands and knees and was up at nine but was finished and the referee stopped the fight. 

Musaev vs. Manilola

Southpaw MUSAEV wins on points against Ugandan MANILOLA. Musaev had considerable height and reach over Manilola and the visitor just could not find a way past Musaev’s jab. From the first round Manilola just circled the ring intent on survival and rarely launched any attacks. Musaev was not quick enough to cut off the ring so just followed Manilola around the ring landing some punches when he did catch up with Manilola so there was little sustained action. Scores 100-90 for Musaev from the three judges.

Gadzhimagomedov vs. Martinez

GADZHIMAGOMEDOV beats brave MARTINEZ in eight rounds. The 6’4” Gadzhimagomedov had height, reach and there was a huge gap in skills. Gadzhimagomedov was content to box on the retreat letting Martinex walk onto jabs, hooks, and uppercuts. Martinez was just walking forward head down throwing wide punches. He was down in the first but it was ruled a slip. Gadzhimagomedov easily breached Martinez guard and as Martines advanced in every round Gadzhimagomedov speared him with a jabs and curled thumping rights around Martinez guard onto his head. By the sixth Martinez had a growing lump under his left eye from those shots. Gadzhimagomedov continued to punish Martinez but his lack of power meant that Martinez occasionally got close enough to land some heavy punches. Gadzhimagomedov punished Martinez throughout the eighth and Martinez’s corner finally retired their man. Gadzhimagomedov was WBA bridgerweight champion but lost that title when the WBA dropped the division. He was 205 lbs for this fight so will probably try to fight at cruiserweight or go for the WBC bridgerweight title. Gadzhimagomedov has been one of the most successful boxers in the amateurs winning Silver at the Olympics, Gold three times in the World Championships and Gold at both the European Championships and Games. Martinez had lost on a sixth round retirement against Yves Ngabu for the IBO cruiserweight title in 2024.

JULY 10

FORTITUDE VALLEY, AUSTRALIA : SUPER MIDDLE: MAX McINTYRE (11-0) W TKO 1 DIEGO RAMIREZ (28-15-1). WELTER: DANNY KEATING (12-0) W PTS 8 JYL WRIGHT (9-3-1). LIGHT: FRED ZZIWA (7-0) W KO 2 PRESCO CARCOISIA (13-7-1).

McIntyre vs. Ramirez

McINTYRE makes it ten inside the distance in a row as he finishes Argentinian veteran RAMIREZ in the first round. McIntyre was hunting Ramirez down when just before the bell Ramirez backed into a corner. McIntyre stepped in and fired a bunch of punches and Ramirez dropped to his knees. There was confusion as to whether a body punch or a punch to the back of Ramirez head put him down and whether the punch landed after the bell. The referee did not start to count but consulted at ringside. Ramirez remained on his knees just watching and then the referee walked over to him and just the waived the fight over. The 21-year-old 6’3 ½” Australian No 2 Mcintyre is rated a hot prospect. Ramirez came in as a substitute and is way past his best.

Keating vs. Wright

Australian-based Irishman KEATING continued unbeaten with a points win over Australian WRIGHT. Keating used his longer reach and better skills to outbox Wright and won on scores of 77-74 twice and 79-72. The Australian No 6 Keating reportedly suffered a broken hand in training but still went through with the fight.

Zziwa vs. Carcosia

Ugandan-born Australian ZZIWA makes it seven inside the distance wins in seven fights with a second round stoppage of Filipino CARCOSIA. Zziwa had Carcosia down twice in the second round. The first was from a left hook to the head and the second a right to the body with Carcosia taking the count kneeling on the canvass. Zziwa, who has taken less than 15 rounds for his 7 wins, was Australian amateur champion in 2022 and 2023.

JULY 11

STUTTGART, GERMANY: LIGHT HEAVY: GRANIT STEIN (21-2-1) W PTS 10 FELIX STURM (45-7-3). CRUISER: ELVIR SENDRO (18-0) W PTS 8 LUCIANO FALCAO (11-3). 

Stein vs. Sturm

STEIN ruins STURMS goodbye night as he takes a deserved split decision to close out Sturm’s career. Sturm wanted a win to go out with and Stein needed one after losing a split decision against modest Mexican Diego Carmona in May. Stein was busier throwing more and landing more. Sturm was having his first fight for 17 months but worked his way into the fight counter attacking strongly and he rocked Stein in the fourth. The fight was close to the half way mark but Stein was roughing Sturm up inside. He took it too far being careless with his head and losing a point in the sixth, Stein is 14 years younger than the 47-year-old Sturm and that told over the later rounds and despite a strong last round from Sturm Stein was a good winner despite the split decision. Scores 96-95 and 95-94 for Stein and 96-93 for Sturm. Sturm remains the only German fighter to win four world titles: WBO, WBA and IBF middleweight and WBA super middle. The win over Sturm will get back the profile points Stein lost in his defeat against Carmona. 

Sendro vs. Falcao

Southpaw SENDRO is forced to go the distance for the first time outpointing Brazilian FALCAO. This should not have been a difficult night for the 6’ 4 ½” Sendro against the 5’8” Falcao but Falcao came to fight and he did-hard. Sendro floored Falcao in the first with a left hook but then Falcao used speed and mobility to make things difficult for Sendro and although Sendro looked to have won the last three rounds Falcao had given him a tough time. No scores available. First time the Bosnian has had to go past the fifth round for a win. Falcao was knocked out in 11 rounds by Yakup Saglam in a fight for the Global Boxing Council heavyweight title in February.

SEQUALS, ITALY: MINIMUM: CHAIMA BOUNOUAR (7-0) W PTS 10 VITORIA BINI (7-2-1). 

Bounouar vs. Bini 

Spain’s BOUNOUAR wins the WBA Gold title as she takes a unanimous decision over local BINI. Bounouar lead from the start. She was landing crisp rights and outscoring Bini. The Italian tried switching guards and that helped her get into the fight for a couple of rounds. Bounouar upped the pressure from the seventh and withstood a late rally from Bini to win with all three judges carding it 97-93. First ten round fight for the 26-year-old from Barcelona. Bini won the European title in November.

TAGBILARAN CITY, PHILIPPINES: MINIMUM: JOSEPH SUMABONG (11-1) W PTS 10 JHENG CIOU (9-1-1). LIGHT FLY: CHRISTIAN BALUNAN (14-1) W KO 4 ARVIN JOHN SAMPAGA (8-6-1). SUPER FLY: REYMART TAGANCANAO (13-1) W KO 3 JESSIE BELL GOLTIANO (7-8). LIGHT FLY: SHANE GENTALLAN (15-1) W PTS 10 XIAOKANG (6-4). FLY: LEONARD PORES III (11-0) W PTS RENOEL PAEL(24-18-2)

Sumabong vs. Ciou

SUMABONG retains the WBO Asia Pacific title with a unanimous decision over Taiwanese fighter CIOU. At 5’0 ½” Sumabong was 4” smaller but used relentless pressure to keep Ciou on the defensive. A body punch had Ciou hurt in the third and he was given a standing count. Ciou recovered and looked to have taken the fifth and sixth but Sumabong swept the closing rounds to win 99-90, 98-91 and 97-92. He also took Ciou’s OPBF Silver title.

Balunan vs. Sampaga 

BALUNAN kayos SAMPAGA in the fourth. After a couple of close rounds Balunan began to score heavily in the third. Sampaga fought back at the start of the fourth but late in the round Balunan landed a hard right and Sampaga went down and was counted out. Ninth inside the distance win for Balunan who lost on points to fellow-Filipino Pedro Taduran in a challenge for the IBF minimumweight title in October. Fifth consecutive defeat for Sampaga.

Tagancanao vs. Goltiano

TAGANCANAO finishes GOLTIANO in the second. The first round was close with the accuracy no Goltiano giving him a slight edge. Tagancanao began to get through with some heavy artillery in the second and put Goltiano down with a body shot in the third with Goltiano being unable to beat the count. Eleventh victory by KO/TKO for Tagancanao. Fifth inside the distance loss for Goltiano.

Gentallan vs. Song

GENTALLAN decisions fellow-southpaw SONG. Gentallan just had the edge in this one. It was close early with the busier Gentallan building a lead over the first four rounds. Song was strong over the middle rounds but tired cand Gentallan finished strongly and was a clear winner although the scores looked a bit to close at 96-94 twice and 97-93 all for Gentallan. Eighth win in a row for Gentallan with China’s Song being 1-3 in his last 4 fights now.

Pores vs. Pael

PORES outpoints a stubborn PAEL. Southpaw Pores, 22, scores a wide unanimous decision over experienced Pael. Pores shook Pael badly in the first and it looked as though it would be an early night but Pael came through that and although never in contention went the distance. Pores won on scores of 99-91 twice and 100-90. Pores was moving up to ten rounds for the first time. Pael was 19-1-1 at the start of his career-where did it all go wrong?

KEMPTON PARK, SOUTH AFRICA: HEAVY: JOSE KADIMA (9-0) W KO 1 HERBERT MATOVU (9-2). HEAVY: JACK MULOWAYI (17-4-1) W TKO 6 JUAN ALBERTS (8-1-1). 

Kadima vs. Matovu 

Another power show from DRC’s KADIMA as he destroys MATOVU in the first round. It took only 36 seconds for Kadima to put Uganda’s Matovu down and out. Seventh inside the distance victory for Kadima who collects the vacant WBC Africa title. The 6’4” 

Ugandan had been knocked out in two rounds by Umar Salimov in 2025 but had won his last three contests.

Mulowayi vs. Alberts

South African ALBERTS suffers his first loss as he is stopped in six rounds by “ Big Jack” ,MULOWAYI. The 6’4” Belgian can be a tough challenge at any time but Alberts suffered a gash over his left eye caused by a punch and that handicap proved too much and the fight was stopped in the sixth round. Sixth win in his last seven fights for Mulowayi. Albert’s can rebound from this.

OBSERVATION: 

Uzcategui qualifying to fight an eliminator for the WBA light heavyweight title illustrates how consistently manipulative the WBA are. Uzcategui had not fought for eleven months and had not fought at light heavyweight since 2024 but after eleven months without a fight he pops into the WBA ratings at No 10 light heavyweight. Every month the WBA list the movements in their ratings and in the list of movements for their February there was no mention of Uzcategui at all.