It’s official, the World Boxing Super Series finals match in the cruiserweight division has been set for July 21 at the Olimpiysky Sports Complex in Moscow. The finals match will pit Oleksandr Usyk (14-0, 11 KOs) against Murat Gassiev (26-0, 19 KOs) for all the marbles, to clean out the division and become the undisputed champion — and there’s never been an undisputed cruiserweight champion since there has been four major titles.
Aside from the history at stake, this is also just good ol’ match-up between two really good fighters, which should make this a firecracker. Usyk is coming off a 10th round KO of Marco Huck in late 2017 and then won a decision over Mairis Breidis in January. He had this to say on the finals match:
“I am once again traveling to the territory of the rival,” Usyk said. “I did it with success in the quarter and semifinal, and now I am going to Moscow to win.”
Meanwhile Gassiev, 24, scored a knockout of Krzysztof Wlodarczyk in the WBSS quarterfinals before going on to stop Yunier Dorticos this past February.
“I was ready to fight Usyk anywhere in the world,” Gassiev said. “I am sure Usyk and I will make a great fight. The winner takes it all!”
Take it all in, folks. This cruiserweight tourney has basically come off without a hitch and has been as good as advertised. And I’m pretty certain the finals match won’t disappoint either. The second installment of the WBSS kicks off this fall, but this time with tournaments taking place in three weight classes.
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