Undefeated heavyweight contender Gustavo “The Cuban Assassin” Trujillo (12-0, 11 KOs) is ready for the next chapter of his career.
Currently ranked No. 13 by the WBO, the hard-hitting Cuban heavyweight is officially a promotional free agent and intends to continue fighting, winning and climbing the heavyweight rankings while he and his team explore opportunities with promoters interested in adding an unbeaten, fan-friendly contender to their roster.
Trujillo will return to action on Sunday, October 18, 2026, when he faces veteran contender Donald Haynesworth (19-10-1, 17 KOs) in a scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
The heavyweight showdown will be featured on Fist of Fury 13, presented by The Heavyweight Factory.
The bout continues an active 2026 campaign for Trujillo, who has already secured three victories this year. With 11 knockouts in 12 professional victories, a 91-percent knockout rate, Trujillo, who is the reigning BKB Heavyweight Champion (9-0, 9 KOs), has steadily built a reputation for bringing an aggressive, entertaining style into the ring.
But even as opportunities begin to grow, Trujillo isn’t interested in waiting on the sidelines for the perfect promotional situation. His approach is straightforward, stay active, keep improving and force the boxing world to take notice through his performances.
“I’m excited about where my career is right now, but I also know there is a lot of work ahead of me,” said Trujillo. “Being a promotional free agent gives my team an opportunity to see what’s out there and find the right situation for my career. I’m ranked No. 13 by the WBO, but I don’t look at that and feel like I’ve accomplished something already. I look at it as motivation because there are still 12 names ahead of me, and my goal is to keep moving forward.”
“I believe the best way to create opportunities is to keep winning. I don’t want to sit around waiting for something to happen. I want to stay active, keep fighting and continue proving myself against better competition. If I do my job inside the ring, everything else will eventually take care of itself.”
In a heavyweight division where one punch can change a fighter’s career, Trujillo has demonstrated the type of finishing ability that commands attention.
Eleven of his 12 professional victories have ended inside the distance, but Trujillo is careful not to allow his knockout percentage to dictate how he approaches a fight.
Rather than chasing stoppages, he believes exciting performances come naturally from applying pressure, taking calculated chances and remaining committed to giving fans something worth watching.
“Heavyweight boxing is supposed to be exciting, and when people watch me fight, I want them to feel like something can happen at any moment,” Trujillo continued. “That’s the style I naturally bring into the ring. I come forward, I throw hard punches and I’m willing to engage. I believe my style is must-watch TV, but that’s something I want the fans to decide for themselves.”
“I’m not going into fights just looking for one punch. The knockouts have come because of the work we do in the gym and because I’m able to create opportunities during a fight. I want people to see that I’m developing into a complete heavyweight, not just somebody who can punch. If I keep improving technically while maintaining the excitement I naturally bring, I believe I can become a fighter that fans really enjoy watching.”
Activity has become an important part of Trujillo’s development.
Already a three-time winner in 2026, the unbeaten contender views each fight as an opportunity to gain experience and prepare himself for the increasingly difficult opposition that comes with climbing the world rankings.
“I want to fight. That’s the most important thing for me right now, is staying busy,” Trujillo added. “Every training camp, every round and every opponent teaches you something different. You can’t replace that experience by sitting outside the ring.”
“I’ve already fought three times this year, and now I have another fight October 18. That’s the type of activity I want. I’m hungry, I’m healthy and I feel like I’m getting better every time I step into the ring. I respect every opponent because every heavyweight is dangerous, but I’m confident in the work I’m putting in. My job is to keep winning and continue earning my way toward the top.”
Trujillo’s manager, Abe Swidan of Visionary Sports Group, believes his fighter’s combination of ranking, punching power, activity and entertaining style makes this an ideal time to explore the promotional marketplace.
Rather than putting Trujillo’s career on hold while those discussions take place, Swidan intends to keep his fighter active and moving toward bigger opportunities.
“Gustavo is in a very attractive position right now,” said Swidan. “He’s undefeated, he’s active, and most importantly, he’s an exciting heavyweight. We’re open to conversations with all promoters who are looking for that type of fighter. We’re not interested in making noise just for the sake of making noise. We’re looking for the right promotional relationship that shares our vision for Gustavo and can help take him to the next level.”
“Heavyweights who can punch and consistently bring excitement are always going to have value in boxing. Gustavo has shown that he can finish fights, but there’s still a lot more to him that people haven’t seen yet. He’s improving, he’s coachable and he’s hungry. Whoever ultimately works with us is getting a fighter who wants to stay active and build toward something significant.”
For Swidan, that long-term objective extends far beyond simply securing a promotional agreement.
The ultimate mission is ambitious, position Trujillo to challenge boxing history by pursuing a heavyweight world championship for Cuba.
“We’re going to keep Gustavo moving. We’re not going to sit around waiting for a promoter before continuing his career,” Swidan added. “October 18 is the next step, and after that we’ll evaluate the opportunities in front of us and keep pushing him up the rankings.”
“Our ultimate goal is to put Gustavo in position to become the first Cuban heavyweight world champion. That’s a major goal, and we understand you don’t get there overnight. There are steps you have to take, opponents you have to beat and opportunities you have to earn. Gustavo is willing to do that work. My responsibility is to keep creating the right opportunities and make sure his career continues moving in the right direction.”
Before discussions about future promoters, rankings or championship opportunities can advance, Trujillo knows he has business to handle against Haynesworth.
And that is precisely where his attention remains.
A victory would allow the undefeated heavyweight to close in on the next stage of his career while strengthening his position as a promotional free agent in boxing’s glamour division.
“I’m grateful for every opportunity I’ve received, and I don’t take any of this for granted,” Trujillo concluded. “There are a lot of talented heavyweights out there chasing the same dream, so I know I have to continue earning everything that comes my way.”
“Right now, Donald Haynesworth has my full attention. I’m preparing for 10 hard rounds and I’m going into the fight respecting what he brings to the ring. At the same time, I know what I’m capable of. I want to put on an exciting performance, give the fans a great fight and show the boxing world that I’m ready to keep climbing. One fight at a time, that’s how I’m approaching this journey.”
