IBA PRO 19 is under way at VTB Arena in Moscow, with a packed fight card bringing together championship boxing, leading heavyweight contenders, international match-ups and IBA Bare Knuckle action.

The event is headlined by WBA heavyweight world champion Murat Gassiev (RUS), who will defend his title against Peter Kadiru (GER) in the main event. Gassiev enters the ring for the first defence of the title he captured at IBA PRO 13, while Kadiru steps into one of the biggest opportunities of his professional career.

In the co-main event, Artem Suslenkov (RUS) faces Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce (GBR) in a 12-round heavyweight bout for the WBA Gold International Heavyweight title.

The card also features several major title and contender bouts, including Pavel Sosulin (RUS) against Eddie Colmenares (VEN) for the IBA Intercontinental title, Sharabutdin Ataev (RUS) against Jose Uzcategui (VEN) in a WBA light heavyweight eliminator, and Tamerlan Ozdoev (RUS) against Shivam Jangra (IND) for the WBA Asia East title.

IBA Bare Knuckle is also represented on the programme, with Vitaly Starykh (RUS) facing Maksim Gorbatko (RUS), and Vyacheslav Meshcherkin (RUS) meeting Elmar Huseynov (AZE).

The opening bout of the night saw Ozdoev stop Jangra in the eighth round to become WBA Asia East champion.

Gassiev stops Kadiru to make successful first WBA heavyweight title defence

Murat Gassiev (RUS) successfully defended his WBA heavyweight world title, forcing Peter Kadiru (GER) to retire in the sixth round of the main event at IBA PRO 19.

From the opening bell, Gassiev took control of the centre of the ring and patiently applied pressure, looking to establish his right hand while investing early in body attacks. Kadiru remained disciplined behind his guard and looked to use his movement, but the champion steadily closed the distance.

The second round saw Gassiev increase the intensity. His right hand began to find the target with greater regularity, while left hooks to both the head and body slowed the German challenger. The Russian continued to dictate the pace, forcing Kadiru onto the ropes and making him work under constant pressure.

As the fight progressed, Gassiev’s body punching became a decisive factor. He repeatedly trapped Kadiru along the ropes and landed heavy combinations to the body and head. Although the German showed resilience and occasionally responded with sharp counters, he struggled to keep the champion off him for sustained periods.

Kadiru enjoyed his best spell in the fifth round, finding more success with his own attacks and making the contest more competitive. However, Gassiev remained in control, continuing to land the cleaner and more powerful punches.

The champion raised the tempo once again in the sixth round. Gassiev pinned Kadiru on the ropes and unleashed a series of heavy, accurate combinations that left the challenger with no answer. Seeing their fighter under sustained pressure, Kadiru’s corner threw in the towel, bringing the contest to an immediate end.

The victory marked the first successful defence of the WBA heavyweight title Gassiev won at IBA PRO 13 and further strengthened his position among the leading names in the division.

Result: Murat Gassiev (RUS) def. Peter Kadiru (GER) by TKO, Round 6 (corner retirement).

Suslenkov breaks down Joyce to claim biggest win of his career

The co-main event saw Artem Suslenkov (RUS) deliver the standout performance of his professional career, stopping former Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce (GBR) in the 11th round to retain the WBA Continental heavyweight title.

Despite conceding height and reach, Suslenkov immediately imposed his game plan. The unbeaten Russian pressed forward from the opening bell, forcing Joyce to fight off the back foot and repeatedly looking to land his powerful left hook. Joyce responded with his jab and used his size effectively in the clinches, but he struggled to establish the long-range rhythm that has served him throughout his career.

As the fight settled, Suslenkov’s pressure only intensified. The Russian consistently closed the distance, landed heavy hooks and combinations, and dictated the pace through the middle rounds. Joyce showed his trademark toughness, absorbing punishment without going down, but increasingly found himself reacting rather than taking the initiative.

By the championship rounds, the momentum was entirely with Suslenkov. Although the tempo slowed at times, the Russian continued to walk Joyce down and land the more telling punches, gradually breaking down the experienced Briton.

The sustained pressure finally proved decisive in the 11th round. After another series of heavy exchanges, Joyce indicated that he could no longer continue, bringing the contest to an end.

The technical knockout victory marks the biggest result of Suslenkov’s career and further strengthens his position among the leading heavyweight contenders.

Result: Artem Suslenkov (RUS) def. Joe Joyce (GBR) by TKO, Round 11.

Sosulin remains unbeaten after hard-fought victory over Colmenares

Pavel Sosulin (RUS), the WBA’s No. 1-ranked contender at super welterweight, extended his unbeaten record with a unanimous decision victory over Eddie Colmenares (VEN) in a competitive 10-round contest.

Sosulin immediately took the initiative, pressing forward behind his trademark aggression, while the experienced Colmenares stood his ground and looked to box at his preferred range. The Venezuelan enjoyed success late in the second round, landing several heavy punches, but Sosulin responded instantly and rocked his opponent before the bell.

The middle rounds developed into an entertaining battle of attrition. Sosulin repeatedly backed Colmenares towards the ropes and invested heavily in body shots, gradually slowing the Venezuelan, while Colmenares continued to answer with dangerous combinations of his own.

Both boxers emptied the tank in a thrilling final round, exchanging heavy punches in search of a stoppage. After 10 action-packed rounds, the judges awarded Sosulin a unanimous decision, preserving both his unbeaten record and his position among the leading contenders in the division.

Result: Pavel Sosulin (RUS) def. Eddie Colmenares (VEN) by unanimous decision.

Rogozin outpoints Deniega over six rounds

Vyacheslav Rogozin (RUS) earned a unanimous decision victory over RV Deniega (PHI) in their six-round bantamweight contest.

Rogozin maintained control over the distance and produced the cleaner work across the fight, doing enough to secure the verdict on all three judges’ scorecards.

Result: Vyacheslav Rogozin (RUS) def. RV Deniega (PHI) by unanimous decision.

IBA Bare Knuckle: Guseynov’s movement proves decisive against Meshcherkin

IBA PRO 19 returned to IBA Bare Knuckle action as Elmar Guseynov (AZE) earned a points victory over Vyacheslav Meshcherkin (RUS) after three competitive rounds.

The bout developed into a classic clash of styles. Meshcherkin pressed forward from the opening bell, looking to overwhelm his opponent with constant aggression, while the southpaw Huseynov relied on sharp counter-punching, lateral movement and well-timed sidesteps to create angles.

Although Meshcherkin maintained the pressure throughout, Guseynov consistently found openings with clean counters and controlled the distance with disciplined footwork. After three closely contested rounds, the judges awarded the decision to the Azerbaijani boxer.

Result: Elmar Guseynov (AZE) def. Vyacheslav Meshcherkin (RUS) by unanimous decision (IBA Bare Knuckle).

Yallyev’s distance control sets up third-round stoppage

Arslan Yallyev (RUS) delivered an authoritative heavyweight performance, stopping Murad Khalidov (RUS) in the third round.

Khalidov immediately tried to close the distance and force the action, while Yallyev switched between stances and used his jab to keep the fight at long range. The difference in reach quickly became decisive, with Khalidov taking several shots as he attempted to move inside.

Late in the second round, Yallyev caught Khalidov with a sharp uppercut and sent him down heavily. He pressed forward again at the start of the third, breaking through his opponent’s defence with a series of powerful punches.

After Khalidov was forced into a standing count, referee Andrey Kurnyavka stopped the bout.

Result: Arslan Yallyev (RUS) def. Murad Khalidov (RUS) by TKO, Round 3.

Ataev outboxes former world champion to earn WBA title shot

Sharabutdin Ataev (RUS) took a major step towards a world title opportunity, defeating former WBA champion Jose Uzcategui (VEN) by unanimous decision in their light heavyweight title eliminator.

Uzcategui made an aggressive start, pressing forward and looking to dictate the pace, while Ataev boxed patiently off the back foot, timing his counters and making good use of his movement. As the fight developed, the Venezuelan enjoyed spells of success, particularly when he was able to force exchanges at close range.

Ataev gradually found his rhythm, increasing his lateral movement and putting together sharper combinations to edge the majority of the rounds. Although Uzcategui remained dangerous throughout, the Russian consistently responded with the cleaner and more accurate work.

After 12 rounds, the judges awarded Ataev a unanimous decision, making the unbeaten Russian the official WBA mandatory challenger in the light heavyweight division.

Result: Sharabutdin Ataev (RUS) def. Jose Uzcategui (VEN) by unanimous decision.

Youth meets experience as Dzukaev stays unbeaten

David Dzukaev (RUS) preserved his unbeaten record with a unanimous decision victory over Aleksei Egorov (RUS) after an action-packed cruiserweight contest.

The fight exploded into life in the opening round. Egorov looked to apply his trademark pressure, but Dzukaev responded with sharp, accurate combinations and capped a superb start by sending the former world title challenger to the canvas with a powerful hook just before the bell.

Egorov quickly recovered and turned the bout into a physical battle, pressing forward throughout the middle rounds and forcing Dzukaev to work at a relentless pace. The younger boxer continued to fire back with dangerous counters, and in the closing seconds of the ninth round he briefly hurt Egorov with a flurry of punches.

After 10 competitive rounds, the judges awarded Dzukaev a unanimous decision, extending his unbeaten professional record.

Result: David Dzukaev (RUS) def. Aleksei Egorov (RUS) by unanimous decision.

Starykh secures unanimous decision over Gorbatko

IBA PRO 19 switched from boxing to bare-knuckle action for its fourth contest of the evening, as Vitaly Starykh (RUS) defeated Maxim Gorbatko (RUS) by unanimous decision under IBA Bare Knuckle rules.

Starykh came forward from the opening bell, applying constant pressure and looking to impose his physical strength, while Gorbatko made effective use of the larger ring, boxing on the move and exchanging freely with his opponent. As the fight progressed, Starykh’s aggression began to tell, with several powerful hooks opening a cut above Gorbatko’s right eye.

The momentum briefly shifted in the third and final round when Gorbatko timed a superb counter to score a knockdown. However, it was not enough to overturn Starykh’s work over the earlier rounds, as the judges awarded Starykh the unanimous decision.

Result: Vitaly Starykh (RUS) def. Maxim Gorbatko (RUS) by unanimous decision (IBA Bare Knuckle).

Gadzhimagomedov’s speed and timing prove too much for Martinez

Muslim Gadzhimagomedov (RUS) delivered one of the most convincing performances of the evening, forcing Kevin Martinez (MEX) to retire after the eighth round of their cruiserweight contest.

From the opening bell, the multiple-time world champion and Olympic silver medallist controlled the distance behind a sharp jab, neutralising Martinez’s attacks while landing accurate combinations. As the fight progressed, Gadzhimagomedov’s speed, timing and movement created an increasingly wide gap between the two boxers.

Martinez struggled to cope with the Russian’s precision and sustained pressure throughout the contest. After eight one-sided rounds, the Mexican’s corner decided not to send him out for the ninth, handing Gadzhimagomedov a retirement victory.

Result: Muslim Gadzhimagomedov (RUS) def. Kevin Martinez (MEX) by RTD, Round 9.

Musaev defeats Manirola on points

Vadim Musaev (RUS) earned a unanimous decision victory over Farahat Manilola (UGA) in their welterweight contest.

Musaev controlled the centre of the ring and gradually increased the pressure, while Manilola focused mainly on defence. The Russian remained patient and dictated the fight over the full 10 rounds.

Result: Vadim Musaev (RUS) def. Farahat Manilola (UGA) by unanimous decision.

Ozdoev stops Jangra to win WBA Asia East title

Tamerlan Ozdoev (RUS) opened IBA PRO 19 with an eighth-round knockout victory over Shivam Jangra (IND) to claim the WBA Asia East lightweight title.

Jangra started competitively, showing speed and movement, but Ozdoev gradually increased the pressure and began to take control in the middle rounds. The Russian hurt his opponent in the sixth, then overcame a one-point deduction in the seventh for a punch after the referee’s command.

In the eighth round, Ozdoev landed a heavy body shot that sent Jangra down to his knees. The referee completed the count, confirming Ozdoev as the new WBA Asia East lightweight champion.

Result: Tamerlan Ozdoev (RUS) def. Shivam Jangra (IND) by KO, Round 8.