Former unified cruiserweight champion Murat Gassiev has been forced to withdraw from a scheduled fight with Ukrainian contender Andrei Rudenko.

The fight was scheduled when it was revealed that Gassiev suffered a broken arm in training camp.

Their clash was going to take place on December 25 in Sochi.

"[Gassiev] broke his right arm while sparring. The fight with Rudenko has been canceled," an event source told Tass.

Gassiev is 27 years old, with a record of 28 wins (21 by knockout) and one defeat.

In 2016, he won the IBF world cruiserweight championship by defeating compatriot Denis Lebedev, and then defended his belt once.

In 2018, Gassiev took part in the World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight tournament and unified the World Boxing Association (WBA) belt to the IBF title, when he knocked out Yuniel Dorticos in a grueling fight.

He lost both of the cruiserweight belts in the WBSS final, when he dropped a lopsided twelve round decision to tournament winner Oleksandr Usyk.

Following that loss, Gassiev made the decision to move up to the heavyweight ranks - but his official debut at heavyweight was delayed numerous times due to injuries and promotional issues. The fight with Rudenko was supposed to be Gassiev's third bout in the heavyweight division.

Rudenko is 38 years old, with a record of 34 wins (20 by knockout) and there are five setbacks on his ledger.