By Luke Furman
A deal is inching closer for the final fight of the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) cruiserweight tournament, which features a showdown between Russia's Murat Gassiev and Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk for the WBC, WBO, WBA, IBF world titles.
The announcement of the final decision to reveal the Gassiev vs. Usyk venue has already been repeatedly postponed - but the date and venue is getting close to being finalized.
The contest is being targeted for a date of July 21 by the Russian Boxing Federation.
Originally, the fight between the two world champions was finalized for May 11 in Saudi Arabia - but it was later postponed when the Ukrainian boxer injured his arm during training camp.
It was widely reported that Usyk would not under any circumstances fight Gassiev in Russia. It was even being said that Usyk was even considering the scenario of stepping away from the tournament - unless the contest was moved to another location.
However, the Olympic gold medal winner is ready and willing to take the fight anywhere and he doesn't have any intention of walking away from the fight.
"This is all wrong. I'm ready to ride through to Antarctica. I'm waiting for the information [regarding the date and location], it will be soon," Usyk told Match.
"I have two belts, and Murat have two belts. I need this fight. We are waiting for a letter from the organizers of the WBSS, regarding where I will fight and I am willing to go anywhere in the world. I specifically want Murat Gassiev. If one of us will not be involved in the final - then the tournament loses all meaning. I want this fight, and I'm positive that Murat does too. And a lot of boxing fans are waiting for this fight."
Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org.
