Usyk vs Gassiev: Still no US TV for WBSS final

There’s no U.S. TV set for Usyk-Gassiev this coming Saturday, and it seems unlikely that will change.

Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

On paper, I think the Oleksandr Usyk vs Murat Gassiev World Boxing Super Series Season 1 finale is a good bet to be a Fight of the Year candidate.

A STRONG candidate.

Two immovable objects, a nice mesh of styles, with one forward-mover bull looking to track down an aggressive but more mobile type, both at or near their athletic pinnacles.

Fight fans the world over, the hardcore ones, are salivating a good bit at the July 21 tango between the Ukrainian ace cruiserweight Usyk and the Russian neo-star Gassiev.

So, there is bewilderment in the air in some quarters when people learn no US platform home has been secured, and that it is possible that no TV home/stream station will be locked down so American fight devotees can easily tune in next week.

I reached out to Egis Klimas, who advises Usyk. Does he have any word on a platform home for the scrap, for US fans?

“I don’t think so, it’s WBSS working on it as they are holding TV rights for this tournament,” Klimas told me Sunday.

Klimas admitted he’s not optimistic that a late-inning landing will be pulled off.

“I don’t think they will agree on giving it away. They want a lot of money,” Klimas stated.

Damn. For a strong fight of the year contender, maybe no US place to watch?

“Maybe Eddie Hearn will pick up a tab. On his new platform DAZN,” Klimas said.

We can indeed hope, then. Hearn is in NY and will on Tuesday be rolling out specifics on the US launch of the streaming behemoth. Picking up this WBSS cruiser finale would be a quite fine feather in cap to crow about….

“Yes, as they say the hope will die last,” the manager said in summation.

Gassiev trainer Abel Sanchez believes this clash will be a rollicking and entertaining mashup. Yes, he hopes US fans will be able to easily tune in.

“I sure hope so, probably one of the best fights of the year or at least the one with most significance for the sport and weight division,” Sanchez told me.

So, you might want to keep the fingers crossed for forward movement on this issue, my friends.