Yerevan, Armenia - Murat Gassiev 31-2 (24 KOs), former cruiserweight title holder and now a fringe heavyweight contender, took another step toward reviving his career with a fifth-round knockout of Denmark’s Kem Ljungquist 18-1 (11 KOs) at the Karen Demirchyan Sports Complex in Yerevan, Armenia. Gassiev’s powerful left body shot ended a fight that started slowly, with Ljungquist unable to recover after the punch, resulting in a knockout loss for the previously unbeaten Danish fighter.

Gassiev’s performance today was crucial to maintaining his status as a competitor in the heavyweight division, which has been rocky since his move up in weight class. The 31-year-old Russian-born fighter, who now represents Armenia, showed signs of his past form but was tentative in the early rounds. The first three rounds saw limited action, with Gassiev landing occasional overhand rights and body shots, while Ljungquist mostly avoided engagement. The fourth round, however, showed Gassiev picking up the pace and pressing the action, which led to exchanges where Ljungquist appeared to lack any serious power behind his counters.

In the fifth, Gassiev’s increased aggression paid off. A left hook to the body landed perfectly, dropping Ljungquist for a full count. The body shot highlighted Gassiev’s trademark power and showcased the potential threat he still poses at heavyweight. With this win, he not only adds to his record, but also puts his career back on track after setbacks and injuries that slowed his momentum.

Historically, Gassiev had a stellar run at cruiserweight, securing the IBF title and then winning the WBA belt through his participation in the World Boxing Super Series. That tournament set up a much-anticipated clash with Oleksandr Usyk, a fight that exposed Gassiev’s limitations against a highly skilled technician. Usyk outclassed him, leading to Gassiev’s first professional loss, after which he made the jump to heavyweight. However, recurring injuries and lengthy gaps between fights have since hindered his attempts to gain ground in the new weight class. His recent defeat to Otto Wallin in September last year, where Gassiev struggled to close the distance and apply pressure, only deepened concerns about his relevance at heavyweight.

Today’s victory over Ljungquist marks a step forward, but Gassiev will need to stay active and build on this performance to reclaim his place in a competitive heavyweight landscape. If he can string together a few more wins against ranked opponents, he may earn himself a position as a worthy contender for the bigger names in the division. For Ljungquist, the loss might signify the end of his climb, moving him from the fringes of contention to relative obscurity.

Going forward, Gassiev’s path may include targeting established heavyweights to strengthen his standing or facing other rising contenders looking to break into the top ranks. Regardless, his display of power and resilience today indicates that he still has a place in the heavyweight mix, provided he can stay healthy and maintain his momentum.