Miller (28-1-2, 22 KOs) earned the opportunity to challenge for the sanctioning body's belt in April by scoring a unanimous decision win against Lenier Pero during a title eliminator.

Gassiev (34-2, 27 KOs) was elevated to the WBA's full champion soon after The Ring champion Oleksandr Usyk vacated his IBF, WBA and WBC titles in June so that he wouldn't create a logjam in the division before his retirement fight.

During his first title defense in July, Gassiev easily crushed Peter Kadiru, who'd stepped in for the injured Tony Yoka on short notice.

"‎There is no news regarding my next opponent just yet. However, I have already started training and am waiting for updates," Gassiev told The Ring. "‎If Jarrell Miller is a contender and holds a high position in the WBA rankings, then according to the organization's rules, we must fight. If the rules require it, we need to respect them."

Miller recently labeled Gassiev an "email" champion and said his potential future foe isn't a real heavyweight. Gassiev is unbothered by the usually brash Miller's trash-talking tactics.

"I’m fine with it because I know his style. He always acts like that before a fight and knows how to attract attention," Gassiev said. "I can’t say whether it’s good or bad. That’s the approach he has chosen for himself, and I have absolutely no problem with it. He is a very strong boxer with real character. He’s a big guy with long arms, and no heavyweight will have an easy time in the ring with him."

The 32-year-old Gassiev, from Vladikavkaz, Russia, is a former cruiserweight champion who's been competing as a heavyweight since 2020. The only losses of Gassiev's career came against Usyk as a cruiserweight in 2018 and against Otto Wallin via split decision in 2023.

Gassiev is ranked No. 9 by The Ring in the heavyweight division.

The 38-year-old "Big Baby" Miller isn't rated in the top 10 by The Ring. Prior to the win against Pero, Miller mustered a hair-raising win against Kingsley Ibeh in January, which came after a majority draw against Andy Ruiz in August 2024 and a stoppage loss against Daniel Dubois in December 2023.

"Logically speaking, whoever is the world champion at the moment is considered the best," Gassiev said. "Other than that, all the guys are very strong. Even in the top 20 or top 30, everyone is hungry, motivated, and wants to become a world champion. Any fight can turn out to be exciting because everyone wants to win and does everything possible to achieve that."

Gassiev's status as the WBA champion, however, will get muddied when Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua fight for the WBA "super" title on December 11.

"It doesn’t upset me. I was just surprised. My first reaction was, 'Why?'" Gassiev said. "This is boxing. Different things happen, and whatever the situation, you have to accept it and keep moving forward. If Fury-Joshua happens, I hope I’ll get the opportunity to face the winner."

John Wirt, co-promoter and legal counsel for Gassiev, offered a more definitive stance on the matter as Gassiev waits for everything to unfold.

"If anyone should be fighting for the WBA super heavyweight title, it is Murat Gassiev, the reigning champion, not two boxers who currently hold no world title between them," Wirt said in a statement. "Allowing the WBA's No. 2 and No. 3 contenders to bypass the No. 1 contender and the reigning champion himself would be an extraordinary and, to our knowledge, unprecedented decision.

"We have formally requested that the WBA confirm or deny these reports and provide the grounds for any such decision. At an absolute minimum, Murat must be given the opportunity to be heard and to fight for super champion status before that status is awarded to anyone else. Our client's rights in this matter are fully reserved."