Former cruiserweight world champion Murat Gassiev is expected to fight in August in the UAE or Serbia, according to the athlete's coach Vitaly Slanov.

"We have two options for the next fight. It is planned for August in the UAE or Serbia," Slanov said to Tass.

Gassiev has been out of the ring since July 22 of last year, when he defeated Germany's Michael Wallisch by TKO in the fourth round. In December of last year, Gassiev was scheduled to fight against Ukrainian contender Andrei Rudenko, but the fight was canceled.

Over the last few years, the 28-year-old Gassiev has been very inactive.

After unifying the WBA, IBF cruiserweight titles with a stoppage of Yuniel Dorticos in February of 2018, he lost both belts five months later in a one-sided decision loss to Oleksandr Usyk in the final bout of the World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight tournament.

Due to injuries and legal issues, Gassiev was then inactive from July 2018 until October of 2020, when the Russian puncher made his heavyweight debut and knocked out Nuri Seferi in one round.

He then returned the following year against Wallisch and has been on shelf ever since.

Gassiev has stellar record of 28 wins (21 by knockout) and lone defeat to Usyk.