Murat Gassiev, preparing for his July 11 bout with Tony Yoka, is in the midst of a long-term plan to take over the heavyweight division. 

It's a plan that involves watching what he eats.

The former cruiserweight titlist, and current WBA ‘regular’ beltholder at heavyweight, doesn’t have a weight limit to worry about these days but the 32-year-old Russian, thanks to his strength and conditioning coach Ronald Basiev, is ensuring that his weight remains close to his fighting best throughout camp.

Gassiev, 32, weighed a little over 230lbs for his title-winning victory over Kubrat Pulev in December. Though he did gain some in the aftermath, he is already down to a similar weight for this camp and the plan, according to head coach Anton Kadushin, is to stay there.

"I believe he has not yet fully adapted to the divsion, but he is on the right path and is highly motivated to establish himself among the elite heavyweights," Kadushin said.

“Murat knows exactly what he can and cannot eat, and he certainly knows how many pies he is allowed! His nutritional discipline is excellent.”

Gassiev, 33-2 (26 KOs), had been expecting to fight Michael Hunter before Yoka, the 2016 Olympic champion who recently missed out on a WBC eliminator when Lawrence Okolie failed a drug test, stepped in to face the Russian at Moscow’s VTB Arena. Though the change in opponent triggered a change in sparring partners, the camp are not necessarily expecting a more difficult fight.

“I would not say Yoka is more dangerous,” Kadushin said. “He is simply different stylistically. In my opinion, Hunter is the more experienced professional, while Yoka brings a tremendous Olympic background and greater physical size.” 

Gassiev, who in his final bout as a cruiserweight lost widely to Oleksandr Usyk in 2018, has won seven of eight since moving up. His only loss in the banner division came to Otto Wallin, on a split decision over 12 rounds, in 2023.

Plans are being put in place to ensure that Gassiev, should he go the full championship distance again, remains strong throughout. Camp began with altitude training in Terskol and Kislovodsk before, with stamina levels reset, the focus turned to enhancing Gassiev’s skillset with Yoka’s own toolbox in mind.

“At this stage we are focused on technical and tactical preparation, improving the quality of Murat’s boxing. We are also spending a lot of time working on mentality and fighting mindset,” Kadushin said.

Beating Yoka is the immediate focus. But the long-term goal remains the same.

"To become the undisputed champion."