By Igor Lazorin, tass

Former world cruiserweight champion Murat Gassiev (26-1, 19 KOs) of Russia is dealing with a left shoulder injury, according to the boxer's co-promoter, Leon Margules.

The injury may require the necessity to travel to Germany for surgery.

"Gassiev may need surgery, he has a left shoulder injury. We have not talked about his future. As soon as Murat recovers from injuries, we will discuss the situation," Margules said.

In late July in Moscow, Gassiev suffered the first defeat of his pro career - a one-sided twelve round decision loss to Olympic gold medal winner Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine.

Their contest was the final bout of the World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight tournament, and had every cruiserweight title at stake in the fight - the titles of the World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organization (WBO).

Gassiev captured the IBF world title in December of 2016, when he dropped Denis Lebedev and boxed his way to a twelve round split decision.

The following year he knocked out former champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk in three rounds in the first round of the World Boxing Super Series tournament.

In the second round of the WBSS tournament, in February of this year, Gassiev knocked out dangerous puncher Yunier Dorticos in the twelfth round in a very bruising fight.

Gassiev, who is trained by well known trainer Abel Sanchez, may consider the idea of moving up to the heavyweight division in the near future.

IN OTHER NEWS: Following quite a bit of shuffling Giovanni Cabrera-Mioletti now finally knows who he will be facing in the main event at Battle at the Boat 117.

The undefeated Cabrera-Mioletti will go up against Carlos Padilla in a 10-round junior lightweight bout on Sept. 8 at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Wash.