Former world champion Murat Gassiev will continue to train under the guidance of veteran coach Abel Sanchez.

“Everything suits me, so I will continue to train with Abel. If necessary, Vitaly Konstantinovich will always help me,” said 26-year-old Gassiev to tass.

Gassiev, for several years, has been preparing for his fights in Big Bear, California under the leadership of Sanchez, who is best known in recent years for his long stretch of work with Gennady Golovkin - although they parted ways a year ago.

Gassiev has been out of the ring since dropping a twelve round decision to Oleksandr Usyk in the final bout of the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) tournament, at cruiserweight, in July 2018.

It wasn't too long after that bout, that Gassiev announced his intention to move up to heavyweight. Several dates were scheduled, but the fights were always postponed.

The former World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion has a record of 26 wins (19 by KO) and one defeat.

His former foe, Usyk, has already made a move to heavyweight - and made his debut in the weight class last October with a TKO win over late replacement Chazz Witherspoon.

Gassiev is hoping the two of them can collide for a second time, at heavyweight.

“I hope that the rematch will take place and everything will fall into place as it should have been,” Gassiev said.

The Russian fighter also denied some of the circulating rumors, that have him jumping over to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to face Francis Ngannou under MMA rules.

"Have you seen Ngannou saw? He’s just a monster, he’ll kill me [in MMA]. If this happens, [that I make my MMA debut], then it’s better to do that with someone simpler," said Gassiev.

Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org