The WBA picture is already in place. Gassiev holds the secondary belt, Itauma is number 1 behind him, and a meeting between them is there if the results hold. This route depends on what happens this weekend.
“I don’t know, maybe,” Gassiev said Sky Sports. “He has a fight against (Jermaine) Franklin. We’ll see what happens after this fight and when this fight is over we can talk about (what) next.”
Gassiev’s take on the fight is simple. If Franklin keeps it long, physical and disciplined, the shape of the fight changes.
“It’s the heavyweight division, big guys, good punchers, good power and I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Gassiev said. “Itauma has a chance, Franklin has a chance. I can’t see the future. I think whoever trains better will win.”
That uncertainty comes down to rounds. Itauma took opponents out early with sharp shot selection and clean finishing instincts, but Franklin doesn’t give you that kind of fight. He holds, works behind a tight guard, and answers back when you open.
“Itauma is a young fighter, talented, strong, fast, Itauma is very good,” Gassiev said. “Franklin is a very good fighter. I don’t know… He’s not an easy opponent for him.”
Franklin’s durability is the key factor, with his ability to extend fights posing another test for Itauma. He went around with Dillian Whyte and Anthony Joshua, never hitting the canvas, staying calm under pressure and keeping his work rate steady. That profile was built to fight a fight deeper than Itauma was.
Itauma will need to manage pace, keep his balance when letting combinations go, and maintain control of distance without forcing the finish. This is where young heavyweights are tested.
Gassiev doesn’t mention the upset, but he doesn’t dismiss it either. In his opinion, this is the kind of fight that decides whether a prospect is ready to move up to the belt or needs more rounds.
“I’m just training,” Gassiev said. “We have a plan to fight in the middle of summer, like July, and we are currently working for this. At the moment, many top fighters have fights and after their fights we will see, see what plans and what next.”
If Itauma gets through cleanly, the WBA road remains open. If Franklin drags him into deep water, that conversation can wait.
