Tony Yoka forced to withdraw from Murat Gassiev WBA heavyweight title shot due to back injury; replacement opponent to be announced for July 11 show in Moscow - IBA

French heavyweight Tony Yoka has been forced to withdraw from his WBA Heavyweight title challenge against champion Murat Gassiev due to a back injury suffered in training camp. The July 11 bout at Moscow's VTB Arena will still proceed, with a replacement opponent for Gassiev set to be announced imminently. Gassiev (33-2, 26 KOs) won the WBA title with a one-punch knockout of Kubrat Pulev in December in Dubai.