Heavyweight boxing tournament. Boxer Gassiev reached the final of the World Boxing Super Series
World Boxing Super Series: Statistics Recap
Yunier Dorticos who will meet with Murat Gassiev in the highly anticipated World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight semi-finals, averaging 26.5 punches in each round in his knockout victory over Dmitry Kudryashov. In total, Dorticos landed an average of 75 punches per round (which is 20% higher than the CompuBox average), and 35% of them hit the target. Dorticos showed a balanced attack, with 9.5 jabs per round (which is twice the CompuBox average) and 17 powerful punches per round (52.3%).
Murat Gassiev landed counting punches in his knockout victory over Krzysztof Wlodarczyk, giving out only 35.7 per round, and Wlodarczyk - only 4 hits in 8 minutes of the fight.
Oleksandr Usyk which meets with Mairis Briedis in another World Boxing Super Series semi-final, he averaged 75.8 punches per round in his knockout win over Marco Hook. Usyk landed 6.7 jabs per round with a hit percentage of just 12.9%.
Briedis averaged 45.8 punches, but only 38.6% of them landed in the fight he won by decision against Mike Perez.
The World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight final will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in May 2018, in accordance with an agreement signed in London between World Boxing Super Series organizer and owner Comosa AG and the Saudi General Authority for Sports. The date and venue for the final will be announced later.
The Muhammad Ali Trophy will be presented to the winner of the tournament at the closing event of the first-ever season of the World Boxing Super Series, which has been gaining increasing attention in 60 different countries since its launch at the Gala Draw in Monaco in July.
Turki Al Alsheikh, President of the General Authority for Sports stated:
“This agreement is part of our commitment and work to develop boxing in Saudi Arabia. The first final of such a high-profile tournament in Saudi Arabia will be a key development milestone for us and one of the many major sporting events that will take place in our country next year.”
The first fights in the World Boxing Super Series took place in September, and four quarterfinals have already taken place. 2012 Olympic gold medalist and current WBO world champion Oleksandr Usyk kicked off the tournament by knocking out Marco Hook, who was himself a record-breaking world champion. It happened in the 10th round in Berlin.
WBA World Champion Yunier Dorticos defeated the owner of the first rating Dmitry Kudryashov sensational knockout in the second round in San Antonio. And finally, the hero who distinguished himself in his hometown, Mairis Briedis won on points against the Cuban Mike Perez in Riga, as a result of which he retained his WBC world title and advanced to the semifinals with Oleksandr Usyk. Russian IBF World Champion Murat Gassiev won former champion peace from Poland by Krzysztof Wlodarczyk in Newark, New Jersey.
Prepared by CompuBox
from Alexander Kolesnikov
Sportbox.ru columnist Alexander Pavlov decided to consider the composition of the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) pairs in the first heavyweight division, where four Russian-speaking boxers will perform, two of which are Russians, and also tried to assess their chances.
The seeded representatives of the WBSS last weekend selected opponents for the opening fights in the ¼ finals during the draw, which took place in Monaco.
Let me remind you that the tournament will be held in two weight categories - first heavyweight and second middleweight. In each - eight fighters will take part. Tournament grid - playoffs. The quarter-finals will be held in September-October this year, the semi-finals in January-February 2018, and the finals in May 2018.
Will Usyk Hook “tickle”?
Oleksandr Usyk is an Olympic champion in London. The Ukrainian won the WBO belt in September last year, confidently defeating the Pole in Gdansk in 12 rounds. Alexander is an excellent player, but he has not shown himself as a puncher yet.
It should be noted that Usyk, as a seeded boxer, chose himself at the draw.
Why Hook? Usik says. - Because in the last two days before the draw, the fans were actively discussing who I should fight - with Kudryashov, Perez or Hook. Hook of them scored the most - 67 percent. Besides, I have long wanted to box with him. He is arrogant, dirty, pushy - really interesting.
Marco Hook and Alexander Povetkin / Photo: © Grigory Vershkain
Hook is an odious and controversial German boxer of Bosnian origin. He won a number of fights, not least thanks to his former promoters - and. At the end of 2014, he organized his own promotional company. In the summer of 2015, he lost the belt to the Pole Glowacki, from whom Usyk “expropriated” it a year later.
“Usyk is exactly the opponent I dreamed of meeting,” Hook said. - Him - good press, he is an Olympic champion, so let's test his strength in confrontation with me.
It seems that Usyk should outbox Hook, who was battered for a busy career, if he does not get the Ukrainian with a crazy punch.
According to preliminary information, Usyk-Huk fight may take place in Kyiv.
Kudryashov and Dorticos are worth each other
Dmitry Kudryashov / Photo: © World of Boxing
- There will be a great fight, both aggressive boxers: the young, but already proven Gassiev against the experienced Wlodarczyk, who loves to be attacked. In style, they match each other, - said "R-Sport", the Pole's mentor.
Krzysztof Wlodarczyk
Rich experience also has the other side of the coin: Wlodarczyk's boxing age is very high, and therefore the deterioration of his body is also great.
“Wlodarczyk is a very experienced fighter, a former world champion, and also a mandatory contender for the IBF world title,” Gassiev is quoted as saying by TASS. - I am confident in my abilities and in my victory, it will be a bright duel. Will there be a knockout or not? Let others make predictions, we have enough specialists who understand boxing.
Briedis and hot Perez
WBC champion Mairis Briedis announces himself resounding victories, in particular over Duradola, Hook and heavyweight. His current rival, Cuban Mike Perez, is also a heavyweight who has descended to cruiserweight. In Russia, Perez is known, first of all, for a tragic duel against, who, after the match, ended up in intensive care with a brain injury, and a rapid defeat from.
Sultry Mike Perez / Photo: © World of Boxing
Unlike Peres, Briedis does not know the bitterness of defeat, and the Latvian is a powerful puncher. Hook was saved from a knockout in a fight with him by extraordinary endurance and the richest experience. However, Perez is a superb techie. And if in heavyweights with a height of 185 cm he is not the most dimensional fighter, then in the first heavyweight he is a very noticeable figure in terms of physical data.
In this case, I'm not afraid to call the representative of Latvia the favorite.
The winners of the tournament will receive the Muhammad Ali Trophy. The prize fund of the tournament is $50 million.
Starts next month new season World Boxing Super Series. So, according to preliminary information, in the period from October 7 to November 10, boxing fans expect 12 bright fights between top masters leather glove in three weight classes. We present to your attention the calendar of fights of the prestigious tournament.
Naoya Inoue(25 years old, Japan, record 16-0, 14 KOs) VS Juan Carlos Piano(34 years old, Dominican Republic, record 20-1, 9 KOs) - 1/4 final WBSS bantamweight (up to 118 pounds or 53.525 kg)
Kirill Relikh(28 years old, Belarus, record 22-2, 19 KOs) VS Eduard Troyanovsky(38 years old, Russia, record 27-1, 24 KOs) - WBSS 1/4 finals in the 1st welterweight (up to 140 pounds or 63.503 kg)
The second season of the Boxing Champions League will be opened by the fight between the “regular” WBA world bantamweight champion 25-year-old Japanese Naoya Inoue (16-0, 14 KOs) and 34-year-old Juan Carlos Payano (20-1, 9 KOs) from the Dominican Republic October 7 in Yokohama (Japan). Also this evening, another quarterfinal meeting will take place in the Japanese ring - in the 1st welterweight division, the WBA world super champion, 28-year-old Belarusian Kirill Relikh (22-2, 19 KOs), will fight with the ex-holder of the IBF and IBO titles, Russian Eduard Troyanovsky (27-1, 24 KOs).
Zolani Tete(30 years old, South Africa, record 27-3, 21 KOs) VS Mikhail Aloyan(30 years old, Russia, record 4-0) - WBSS 1/4 finals in the bantamweight division (up to 118 pounds or 53.525 kg)
Ruslan Faifer(27 years old, Russia, record 23-0, 16 KOs) VS Andrew Tabiti(29 years old, USA, record 16-0, 13 KOs) - WBSS 1/4 finals in the 1st **** not officially confirmed by WBSS representatives
Russian boxing fans will be able to watch two confrontations at once within the quarter-final stage of the Super Series - on October 13, at the arena of the international exhibition center "Ekaterinburg-EXPO", the world champion in the bantamweight according to WBO, 30-year-old South African Zolani Tete (27-3, 21 KOs) will fight with 30-year-old prospect from Russia Mikhail Aloyan (4-0). Despite the fact that official confirmation from the WBSS has not yet been received, the Secretary General of the Russian Boxing Federation, Umar Kremlev, earlier this month in an interview with RIA Novosti, said that heavyweights 27-year-old Russian Ruslan Faifer and 29-year-old Edru Tabiti (16-0 , 13 KOs) from the USA will also appear in the ring as part of the Yekaterinburg boxing show.
Emmanuel Rodriguez(26 years old, Puerto Rico, 18-0, 12 KO) VS Jason Moloney(27 years old, Australia, record 17-0, 14 KOs) - 1/4 finals WBSS bantamweight (up to 118 pounds or 53.525 kg)
Yunier Dorticos(32 years old, Cuba, 22-1, 21 KOs) VS Mateusz Masternak(31 years old, Poland, record 41-4, 28 KOs) - WBSS 1/4 finals in the 1st heavyweight (up to 200 pounds or 90.718 kg)
The title duel in the bantamweight division between the IBF world champion 26-year-old Puerto Rican Emmanuel Rodriguez (18-0, 12 KOs) and the official contender for the regalia of the Federation 27-year-old Jason Moloney from Australia will be held on October 20 in Orlando (USA). In addition, this evening the audience will see the return to the ring of Yunier Dorticos after his debut defeat in the semi-finals of the first season of the Super Series to Russian Murat Gassiev in February this year. rival Cuban heavyweight 31-year-old experienced boxer from Poland Mateusz Masternak (41-4, 28 KOs) will perform.
Ivan Baranchik(25 years old, Belarus, record 18-0, 11 KOs) VS Anthony Yigit(27 years old, Sweden, record 21-0-1, 7 KOs) - WBSS 1/4 finals in the 1st welterweight
Regis Prograis(29 years old, USA, record 22-0, 19 KOs) VS Terry Flanagan(29 years old, UK, record 33-1, 13 KOs) - WBSS 1/4 finals in the 1st welterweight
The fight for the vacant IBF 1st welterweight belt between the participants of the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) quarterfinals, 25-year-old Belarusian Ivan Baranchik (18-0, 11 KOs) and 27-year-old Anthony Yigit (21-0-1 , 7 KOs) from Sweden will be held in New Orleans (USA) at the end of next month. As part of this boxing evening, another semi-finalist of the super middle division and the owner of the WBC “diamond” title will be determined - the “interim” WBC champion American Regis Prograis (22-0, 19 KOs) will meet in the Lakefront Arena ring with the ex-champion in the lightweight division, 29-year-old Briton Terry Flanagan (33-1, 13 KOs).
Ryan Barnett(26 years old, UK, record 19-0, 9 KOs) VS Nonito Donaire(35 years old, Philippines, record 38-5, 24 KOs) - 1/4 finals WBSS bantamweight (up to 118 pounds or 53.525 kg)
Josh Taylor(27 years old, Great Britain, 13-0, 11 KOs) VS Ryan Martin(25-0, 12 KOs) - WBSS 1/4 finals in 1st welterweight
On the first Saturday in November, the Champions League quarter-finals will be moved to Scotland. So, at The SSE Hydro arena, WBA world champion 26-year-old Ryan Barnett (19-0, 9 KOs) will defend the champion belt in the bantamweight weight category on the WBA (Super) line for the second time. The 35-year-old Filipino Nonito Doner (38-5, 24 KOs) will return to the bantamweight division as a contender for the British regalia. Who will become another semi-finalist of the Super Series 2 super middleweight - the official contender for the WBC world champion belt, 27-year-old British representative Josh Taylor (13-0, 11 KOs) or unbeaten 25-year-old American Ryan Martin? We will also find out on November 3rd.
Mairis Briedis(33 years old, Latvia, record 24-1, 18 KOs) VS Noel Gevor(28 years old, Germany, record 23-1, 10 KOs) - WBSS 1/4 finals in the 1st welterweight
Krzysztof Glowacki(32 years old, Poland, record 30-1, 19 KOs) VS Maxim Vlasov(32 years old, Russia, record 42-2, 25 KOs) - WBSS 1/4 finals in the 1st welterweight
Two quarterfinal fights of the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) in the 1st heavyweight division will take place on November 10 in Chicago (USA). This evening in the arena Chicago UIC Pavilion will be played by ex-world champions 33-year-old Mairis Briedis (24-1, 18 KOs) from Latvia, who lost the victory to Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk in the 1/2 finals of the first season of the Super Series in cruiserweight, and 32-year-old Krzysztof Glowacki (30-1, 19 KOs) from Poland, who will fight for reaching the semi-finals with the representative of Germany of Armenian origin, 28-year-old Noel Gevor (23-1, 10 KOs) and 32-year-old Russian Maxim Vlasov (42-2, 25 KOs), respectively.
Boxing is the most unambiguous sport. But the language will not turn to call it ideal. There is one flaw in boxing, one might even say a flaw.
For example, why Anthony Joshua, winning Wladimir Klitschko in a fight that is already a world champion? A Deontay Wilder, who is also a world champion? Why Vasily Lomachenko must one after the other just because no one wants to go into the ring with him? Why amateurs have the highest rank - Olympic champion, and professionals simply hide behind the abbreviations of an infinite number of organizations? Someday this had to come to an end.
In March 2017, a new professional boxing tournament was announced - the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS). Maybe at least he will be able to change something in a sport that is losing its old school champion character and simply becomes a way to extort money from the audience.
What it is?
Simply put, it's something like Football League champions or the same Olympic Games among amateurs. The goal of the WBSS is to gather the most strong boxers and find out who is really the best.
Due to the large number of organizations that have their own champions (WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF), it is sometimes impossible to determine who is the strongest. The bureaucracy that devours and kills the sport sometimes makes it simply impossible to organize unification fights (how much Golovkin demanded a fight from Saunders?), but the strongest must be determined.
The organizers of the tournament decided to deal first with heavy weight (up to 90 kg, 200 pounds) and with the second medium (up to 76 kg, 168 pounds). Firstly, there is not a single boxer here who owns several belts. Secondly, these are divisions with a relatively high percentage of knockouts, which is good for the viewer. Thirdly, there are no superstars here who can refuse to sign a contract to participate.
The format of the event is extremely simple. 16 boxers will take part in WBSS (8 in each weight). The priority task is to collect four champions each (there are no questions for heavyweights) and four more eminent boxers from the top 15 rating of any of the world organizations.
The draw will then take place in Monaco on 8 July, where the champions will recognize their quarter-final opponents. First round tournament will be held in September-October. The winners advance to the semi-final (January-February), and then to the final (May). At stake in the final fight will be the Muhammad Ali trophy, $ 10 million in prize money, as well as championship belts. Title holders automatically put them on the line of fights in which they take part.
At the same time, the participants of the quarterfinals are guaranteed to receive one million dollars each, and the total prize fund the tournament will be $50 million.
Tournament bracket WBSS
Where will the fights take place?
The organizers plan that exactly half of the 14 matches of the tournament will take place in the US arenas: New York's Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center in Los Angeles, as well as at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. There is no territorial restriction on the conduct of other battles, however, Europe, namely Britain and Germany, is in priority.
Has there ever been something like this?
Yes it was. And by the way, not too long ago. In 2009-11, the Super Six World Boxing Classic tournament was already held in super middleweight, in which WBC and WBA champions took part.
Then Showtime gathered six of the strongest boxers in one grid: Karl Forch, Andre Ward, Arthur Abraham, Andre Dirrell, Mikkel Kessler and Jermaine Taylor. The boxers had to fight three fights in the group stage. 3 points were awarded for a knockout win, 2 points for a decision and 1 point for a draw.
The top four boxers advanced to the semi-finals. The one who took first place fought with the fourth number, and the second - with the third.
On December 17, in Atlantic City, USA, Carl Froch and Andre Ward clashed in the final match. As a result, the American defeated Froch by unanimous decision: 115-113, 115-113, 118-110.
It was at this tournament that Froch suffered the only defeats of his career, and Ward became the world champion for the first time.
Who will compete in WBSS?
The participation in the tournament of three heavyweights was the first to be announced: the IBF champion Murata Gassiev(24-0, 17 KOs), WBC champion Mairis Briedis(22-0, 18 KOs) and former IBF and WBC champion, as well as the leader of the IBF rating Krzysztof Wlodarczyk(53-3-1, 37 KOs).
The next official confirmation of participation was given by the regular WBA champion Yunier Dorticos(21-0, 20 KOs), shortly after he gave his consent to participate in the tournament Marco Hook(40-1-4, 27 KOs).
According to ESPN insider Dan Rafael, the contract was also signed with the Pole. Krzysztof Glowacki(27-1, 17 KOs), but the official WBSS website has not yet confirmed these words.
But the most interesting for the Ukrainian fan is another name. WBO Champion Oleksandr Usyk(12-0, 10 KOs) has repeatedly stated that he wants to unify the belts in his weight and does not understand why tournaments are not held where it is not determined best fighter. Therefore, it is not strange that, in the opinion of his manager Egis Klimas,.
Also, contenders for getting into the heavyweight tournament bracket are called Ilunga Makabu(20-2, 19 KOs) and Matheus Masternak(39-4, 29 KOs). At the same time, none of the messages mentions the name of the Russian WBA Super champion. Denis Lebedev(29-2, 22 KOs), who is scheduled to fight with Mark Flanagan(22-4, 15 KOs) on the ninth of July.
Usyk will take part in the Boxing Champions League / Facebook Heavy weight:
Oleksandr Usyk(12-0, 10 KOs) - WBO
Mairis Briedis(22-0, 18 KOs) - WBC
Murat Gassiev(24-0, 17 KOs) - IBF
Yunier Dorticos(21-0, 20 KOs) - WBA
Krzysztof Wlodarczyk(53-3-1, 37 KOs)
Marco Hook(40-1-4, 27 KOs)
Likely participants:
Krzysztof Glowacki(27-1, 17 KOs)
Ilunga Makabu(20-2, 19 KOs)
Matheus Masternak(39-4, 29 KOs)
In the super middleweight division, such an influx of champions is not yet noticeable. In general, there is less talk about this division.
The first contract to participate in the tournament was signed by the Briton George Groves(26-3, 19 KOs), who has the WBA belt. It seemed, well, now - now trample, but no.
The following gave their consent to non-existence earlier Swede Eric Skogland(26-0, 12 KOs) and Briton Jamie Cox(22-0, 12 KOs). A couple, to be honest, so-so. Records, of course, are ideal, but the names, to put it mildly, are very modest. If heavyweight looks really champion, then there is still work to be done. Well, the latest WBSS acquisition so far is the former WBA and WBO light heavyweight champion Jurgen Bremer(48-3, 35 KOs), who will drop in weight to participate in the tournament.
This means that there are still four places left, but there are no rumors about the super middleweight participants at all, so it's worth looking at the ratings, who would you like to see.
So, several of the remaining five places may well be claimed by the champions: James DeGale(23-1-1, 14 KOs) - IBF and Gilberto Ramirez(35-0, 24 KOs) - WBO.
Also, the public would not mind seeing the leader of the WBO rating in the case Arthur Abraham(46-5, 30 KOs) and his chatty British IBO champion Chris Eubank Jr.(24-1, 19 KOs), as well as the first WBC number - Callum Smith(22-0, 17 KOs), and the Swede Badu Jack (21-2-1, 12 KOs).
But while the activity of the organizers in this weight class clearly leaves much to be desired, however, we'll see.
Groves to compete in super middleweight tournament / Boxing News Second average weight:
George Groves (26-3, 19 KOs) - WBA
Eric Skogland (26-0, 12 KOs)
Jamie Cox (22-0, 12 KOs)
Jürgen Bremer (48-3, 35 KOs)
Interesting facts:
The trophy of the tournament was created by the designer of the World Cup Cup Silvio Gazzaniga.
The WBSS organizers plan to sign a contract with Showtime to show the tournament's fights.
Tournament promoter Wilfried Saurland was also one of the organizers of the Super Six World Boxing Classic.
Fights will not be postponed due to boxers' injuries, a technical defeat will be counted immediately.
The names of the first participants in the tournament were announced the day before the anniversary of the death of Muhammad Ali.
The WBSS is funded by Highlight, which started the rebranding of the UEFA Champions League in the early 1990s.
Initially, it was planned to hold a tournament in the second middle and first welterweight divisions.
Over its long history, boxing has taught fans to wait. In the hope of a duel between two superstars, lovers of the oldest species combat sports carried out long months, and sometimes years of reading news about complex negotiations between promotional firms, organizers and TV channels. And if it did come to the fight itself, it was often too late. It is worth remembering the fight of the century between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. Fans were eager to see the fight between the two most stellar representatives of the sport, but the fight was repeatedly postponed.
Negotiations between the athletes have been going on since 2010, but the fight was organized only five years later. During this time, the Filipino lost his former condition and managed to be in the hardest knockout in the battle with the Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez. What should have been the biggest event in the history of boxing has been remembered by the fans as a mediocre fight, the most remarkable aspect of which is the incredible fees of the athletes. It is worth noting that Pacquiao's income amounted to $ 150 million, and Mayweather - twice as much, and this does not include sales of television broadcasts.
This fight is the most famous example of a side of boxing that is impossible to love. This type sports includes 19 weight categories, each of which determines champions in four main versions (the World Boxing Association (WBA), the World Boxing Council (WBC), the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and the World boxing organization(WBO), and this is without taking into account other nuances, such as "linear" and "regular" championships.
Do not forget about the presence of many promotional companies that have the rights to organize fights of their athletes, ready to fight for every extra banknote. And when the interests of all intersect, it becomes very difficult to arrange a duel between two people. As a result, viewers have to watch the defending champions fight against second-rate contenders and dream of someday seeing something that is really worthy of attention.
The birth of an idea
Kalle Sauerland, the son of the famous promoter Wilfried Sauerland, in 2009 made the first attempt to circumvent the laws of sports and organize a tournament the best representatives one weight category. The tournament called the Super Six World Boxing Classic brought together six of the most talented middleweight boxers under its auspices, and the WBA and WBC world championship belts, as well as The Ring magazine, were at stake in the competition. The tournament was held according to a system similar to the format of the World Cup: it began with a group stage, which moved on to the playoff stage. The fighters were supposed to hold three fights in a tournament, and the winner was to unify the WBC and WBA titles.
But Sauerland Jr.'s first pancake came out lumpy. The tournament lasted more than two years and ended only in December 2011, two years after its start. In addition, four boxers refused to participate in the competition, they had to look for a replacement, which led to an increase in the actual participants in the tournament to eight people. The pause between the end of the group stage and the semi-finals was seven months, which also did not benefit the competition.
The winner of the tournament was American Andre Ward, known to all Russian boxing fans in fights against Sergey Kovalev, who announced his retirement the day before. In the final, he defeated British Carl Froch by unanimous decision. Sauerland's idea was partly successful: the fans managed to see some of the best representatives of the middle weight category in one competition, but the unsuccessful organization nullified all the advantages of the tournament. Super Six World Boxing Classic did not receive favorable reviews and a project to organize tournaments among best boxers the world was turned upside down.
A new beginning
As it turned out six years later, Sauerland did not abandon his idea of organizing a boxing super tournament. Instead, the promoter took into account the shortcomings of the previous version, radically changed the format and presented the world with an updated version of their offspring.
In March 2017, he, together with Richard Schafer and Comosa AG, announced the holding of the World Boxing Super Series, in which 16 boxers from two weight categories were to participate. It was announced that the prize fund of the competition will be $50 million, and the two winners will receive about $10 million for three fights, respectively.
The fights of the tournament will be held in the first heavy and second middle weight categories. It is noteworthy that the reward for winning the super series will be not only money, but also championship belts in the most prestigious versions. Among the titled fighters agreed to take part in the competition, reigning champions peace. Among the participants in the super middleweight tournament are famous British athletes: International Boxing Organization (IBO) title holder Chris Eubank Jr. and WBA (Super) world champion George Groves. And they will be accompanied by young talents - another representative of the UK, Callum Smith, and the Turks, Avni Yildirim, who have not yet known defeat in their careers.
But even if these names did not interest you, the organizers of the super series have prepared a real gift for Russian fans of this sport. In the tournament among boxers of the first heavy weight Russia will be represented by two athletes at once - IBF world champion Murat Gassiev and Dmitry Kudryashov. The composition of the participants in this weight category is really amazing. Sauerland and company managed to put together an amazing line-up, which included world title holders in all major versions, with the exception of the WBA. Denis Lebedev, the owner of the WBA world champion belt, refused to participate in the tournament, but his place was taken by the regular champion in this version, Cuban Yunier Dorticos. Thus, the winner of the light heavyweight tournament will unify three titles, becoming almost the absolute champion.
Sauerland himself, satisfied with the representation of the super series, compared it with the main football club tournament in Europe. “This project should become a boxing Champions League. To organize such an event was a big statement on our part. I think that in terms of participants in the tournament, we got much more than we expected, ”Sauerland told the BBC.
It is noteworthy that the World Boxing Super Series and football are united by another circumstance, namely: the main trophy that will be awarded to the winners of the tournament is the Muhammad Ali Cup. Named after the legendary boxer, the trophy was designed by Silvio Gazzaniga, the same man who in 1971 conceived and embodied the image of the World Cup Cup.
Super Series Features
The World Boxing Super Series was officially opened on September 9 with a duel between WBO light heavyweight champion Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk and German Marko Hook. The Ukrainian boxer, seeded at the tournament under the first number and being the main favorite of the competition, showed an impressive level of boxing and easily dealt with his opponent. A week later, on September 16, the super middleweight tournament also started - Briton Callum Smith defeated the representative of Sweden, Eric Skoglund, by unanimous decision of the judges.
Separately, it is worth noting the draw of the tournament. According to the idea of the organizers, according to the rating, a list of seeded and unseeded athletes was compiled. Boxers who received seeding numbers had to choose who would be their opponent in the quarterfinals of the competition. So Usyk, seeded under the first number, chose Hook as his rival, saying that he had long wanted to meet the German in the ring. And the second number - WBC world champion Maris Briedis - settled on the candidacy of Mike Perez, a 31-year-old Cuban whose career includes a defeat from Russian heavyweight Alexander Povetkin. At the same time, Gassiev became an exception to the rule and was deprived of the choice of an opponent - his opponent turned out to be a contender for the IBF belt, owned by a Russian, Pole Krzysztof Wlodarczyk. Thus, the last representative of Russia, Dmitry Kudryashov, got the Cuban Dorticos.
Another unfortunate coincidence for the Russians was that they are in the same part tournament bracket, thus, domestic fans will not be able to see the Russian final in the first in the history of the World Boxing Super Series. But the chance to see the confrontation between Gassiev and Kudryashov in the semi-finals of the tournament seems more than real. Wlodarczyk, along with Perez, is one of the main outsiders of the super series, while Dorticos is a very dangerous opponent, but it is impossible to call him a clear favorite in a duel with Kudryashov.
The tournament is held according to the Olympic system. Sauerland abandoned the idea of holding group stages and decided to stick with the playoff format. From this comes another interesting feature super series, namely, how the organizers solved the problem of draw results in battles. Since a winner must be determined in each match, in the event that a draw is recorded on the cards of three judges, the reserve fourth arbiter will decide the fate of the match. If it turns out that even he cannot name the winner, he will be the one who won the last, 12th round. But if there is equality in the final round, the results of previous rounds will be taken into account in descending order. It follows from this that in the final three minutes, the audience certainly will not be bored.
Nine months of boxing
The first fights of the tournament showed that the idea of the World Boxing Super Series has the right to life. Duels Usyk - Hook and Smith - Skoglund were a success, giving the fans a real spectacle. But if in the first fight the fight did not work out, and the Ukrainian confidently confirmed the status of the main favorite of the tournament, while allowing the audience to enjoy the amazing level of boxing, then the second fight turned out to be exciting precisely from the point of view of intrigue.
Smith, who started the fight very confidently, gave up the initiative by the middle, but still managed to win and reach the semifinals. The Super Series quarter-finals will take place every week until October 27, when middleweights Jurgen Bremer and Rob Brant face off in the final match. By the way, it is the winner of this confrontation who will compete for reaching the final of the tournament with Smith.
The semi-finals are scheduled to take place in January and February 2018, with the finals scheduled to take place in May. Thus, in just nine months, 14 fights between fighters of the highest class will take place, which is an unprecedented feast for boxing fans. And if this time it is possible to avoid problems with injuries and failures of the participants, then the venture can be safely considered successful.
The ideological inspirer of the tournament is also striving for this, for which in the first place is not the banal identification of the best of the best, but filled storylines book. “This tournament will bring together many stories. The World Boxing Super Series is not just about determining the winner. By telling the story of our tournament, we want to give the fans real joy,” said Sauerland.
