Dubai braces for historic first heavyweight world title fight

Even as some of the world's highest-rated amateur boxers were battling their way to within one shot of gold medal glory in the IBA Men's World Championship at a heaving Dubai Tennis Stadium, a different kind of electricity filled the air.

- Leslie Wilson Jr [e-mail]

Kubrat Pulev defends his WBA 'regular' heavyweight title against Murat Gassiev on Friday in Dubai. — IBA PRO

Some of the biggest names in global combat sports were landing in Dubai, adding star power to a week already defined by bruising battles and breakthrough performances. After a series of fiercely contested bouts since the championship opened on December 2, only an elite group of amateurs remain in contention for Saturday's finals. But before the amateur event climaxes, all eyes turn to Friday evening's stacked professional card, headlined by a historic moment for UAE boxing: the country's first-ever heavyweight world title fight.

The spotlight falls on a blockbuster matchup when Bulgaria's WBA world champion Kubrat "The Cobra" Pulev (32-3-0) defends his WBA crown against Russia's marauding challenger Murat "Iron" Gassiev (32-2-0). Their tense stare-down at the official face-off hinted at the ferocity to come in what promises to be an explosive heavyweight collision.

Pulev, proud standard-bearer of Bulgarian boxing and a veteran of more than 300 amateur fights, was reflective yet resolute ahead of his title defence.