By Alexey Sukachev

Some interesting news broke out on Friday regarding the much-anticipated World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight final between WBA/IBF Murat Gassiev (26-0, 19 KOs) and WBC/WBO Oleksander Usyk (14-0, 11 KOs), which is scheduled to take place on July 21st in Moscow, Russia.

The showdown was potentially in jeopardy - based on the recent statements from Usyk’s manager Egis Klimas (https://www.boxingscene.com/usyk-manager-clarifies-previous-comments-on-wbss-finals--129937).

“Comosa who is the main, main organizer of the tournament, they're helping with the tickets, they're helping with the security issues and the hotel. But the ones who are not cooperating is the Russian side. So Comosa is doing an excellent job, they're trying to help save the fight but the Russian's are not cooperating and they are not organizing”, said Klimas to Steve Kim of the BoxingScene.com. "I would say so," stated Klimas,"they are the ones who need to do the organizing."

Umar Kremlev, the general secretary of the Russian Boxing Federation and the man behind the upcoming event, fired back at Klimas and Usyk’s party immediately after reading the comments from Klimas.

“Yesterday Team Usyk publicly voiced their concerns and displeasure based on a flawed perception that we – as organizers of the event – aren’t meeting all the requirements and providing all the conditions needed to be met and provided”, commented Kremlev.

“We cannot understand the side of Usyk and his team’s displeasure. Show us any official appeal, approved by the WBSS side, that hasn’t been answered. Show us any term or requirement that hasn’t been met. Show us any example of the help not provided. Show us facts, approved by Comosa AG, who is the qualified authority behind the entire event... don't give us words without a proof.

"As of now, we have a full-fledged partnership, a fruitful interaction and a mutual understanding with the organizers of the World Boxing Super Series. We have a contract signed directly with Comosa AG. We can once again re-affirm that all of the requirements and all of the terms under this contract have been one hundred percent met/executed”, said Kremlev.

“I’d once again underline that we are glad to provide Oleksander Usyk and his team with the best conditions possible. If the Ukrainian party needs any help, approved by the World Boxing Super Series, we shall gladly comply fulfilling all their requests and wishes. We shall do our best for all the participants, guests and fans to be fully content.

"On July 20 we shall have a draw ceremony for the WBSS second season. July 21 is the date of a massive boxing event, crowned with a real gem in Usyk vs. Gassiev, and, finally, July 22 we shall celebrate Russia’s Boxing Day and the Manezhnaya Square in the very center of Moscow. We shall have a three-day-long holiday for everyone”, concluded Kremlev.