Russian star Murat Gassiev became his nation’s first world heavyweight champion in thirteen years, after a sensational sixth-round stoppage win over Kubrat Pulev saw the 32-year-old capture the WBA World Heavyweight title at IBA Pro 13 in Dubai.

Boxing in-front of a raucous crowd at the iconic Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, Gassiev, a former unified cruiserweight titleholder, began the contest in watchful fashion – before exploding into life with a crunching left-hook that felled the experienced Bulgarian in devastating fashion.

The win reaffirms Gassiev’s status as one of the sport’s most dangerous punchers, with the Ossetia-native picking up his twenty-sixth stoppage win and condemning Pulev to the fourth loss of his career in the process.

“This was a good fight,” said Gassiev in the aftermath of his stunning victory.

“I have a lot of respect for Kubrat [Pulev]. He’s a great champion and a great person. I only have respect for him. This is boxing, and I hope his health is good and he has no injuries.

“I won and it’s a good feeling, but it was a tough fight – a very tough fight for me – a hard fight for me, because he has a lot of experience and he is a big guy.

“At the press conference and the weigh-in, I didn’t feel his size; but when he started moving, throwing some shots and some combinations – I felt his size. He is very big and has a big heart. He is a warrior.”

Pulev, 44, was in a philosophical mood following the defeat, expressing his sadness at the knockout loss and refusing to be drawn on his fighting future.

“It was a good fight, but you know in boxing, one punch can decide everything.

“I felt [during the fight] like I was going to win. I feel amazing, I feel good – but I feel sad, because the people are not happy. My fans are not happy – but only this makes me sad.

“Now, let’s rest a little bit and then we’ll see what happens.”

After his brutal knockout win – one sent out a chilling warning to the rest of the division – the newly-crowned champion, Gassiev, is now mandated to defend his title against heavyweight prodigy Moses Itauma next.

Having already expressed his dream of fighting at London’s Wembley Stadium, the man nicknamed ‘Iron’, finds himself on the verge of some tantalising contests in boxing’s blue ribbon division.

“Tonight was not only a fight, but a celebration of cultures – and an historic sporting moment for our wonderful hosts in the United Arab Emirates,” said Umar Kremlev

“Murat [Gassiev] showed his level tonight – he is unquestionably one of the best fighters in the world and a true ambassador of global sport. Of course, he is already an icon in Russia and now, with this tremendous victory, an icon of global sport.

“Kubrat Pulev deserves enormous credit for the way in which he competed, but this is boxing: in the heavyweight division, more than any other, one punch can change the entire fight.

“Congratulations to Kubrat and to Murat on a spectacular display of boxing skill.”

IBA Pro General Director Al Siesta spoke passionately about what may lie ahead for the dynamic, two-fisted power-puncher.

“Tonight, we saw Murat Gassiev is back with a bang.

“It was a sensational, vicious knockout that will make the rest of the world stand up and take notice. This is the [Murat] that the sport needs, and he is a danger to anyone in the heavyweight division.

“Next? We need another huge fight. People say Moses Itauma is the next big thing, but Murat is here and now – not next. I am so proud of him for becoming Russia’s first world heavyweight champion since 2013, but trust me, he is only just getting started.”

Elsewhere on the undercard there was a career-best win for unbeaten lightweight Bakhodur Usmonov who defeated Britain’s Maxi Hughes via majority decision after 12 competitive rounds.

Vadim Musaev scored an impressive third round TKO victory over Tulani Mbenge to capture the IBO welterweight title, while Russian super-lightweight contender Khariton Agrba gained revenge over Argentinian puncher Nerii Muñoz with a dominant unanimous decision win.

Middleweight Nico Ali Walsh edged Uganda’s Jeremiah Sserwadda over six fiercely competitive rounds of action and Yoel Finol gained a second victory over Shakhobidin Zoiro to pick up the IBA Pro World Bantamweight title.

Full card results as follows:

Artem Suslenkov Won TKO 6 Stanley Wright
Samuel Carmona Won UD 8 Immanuel Josef
Madiyar Saydrakhimov Won MD 10 David Dzukaev
Estelle Mossely Won UD 8 Ellen Simwaka
Nico Ali Walsh Won UD 6 Jeremiah Sserwadda
Daud Aleuv Won RTD 6 Dave Penalosa (Ref: Giuseppe Quartarone)
Vadim Musaev Won TKO 3 Tulani Mbenge
Khariton Agrba Won UD 12 Ruben Munoz (117-111, 119-109 & 120-108, Ref: Rafael Ramos)
Faizan Anwar Won SD 10 Khuseyn Baysangurov (97-93, 96-94 & 94-96)
Yoel Finol Won SD 10 Shakhobidin Zoirov (97-93, 98-95 & 94-96, Ref: )
Bakhodur Usmonov Won MD 12 Maxi Hughes (115-113, 114-114 & 116-112, Ref: Rafael Ramos)
Murat Gassiev KO6 Kubrat Pulev (Ref: Giuseppe Quartarone)