An emotional Mairis Briedis talks about his epic World Boxing Super Series journey and a possible move to heavyweight after conquering Yuniel Dorticos in Saturday’s Season II WBSS Cruiserweight Final.
Season II of the World Boxing Super Series came to its conclusion on Saturday with Mairis Briedis taking home the coveted Muhammad Ali Trophy after a thrilling encounter against Yuniel Dorticos at the Plazamedia Studios in Munich, Germany.
Mairis Briedis endured two controversial wins in order to advance to this point, but left no doubt when it truly mattered most. The long awaited World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) cruiserweight final saw Briedis begin his third title run, following a 12-round majority decision win over Yuniel Dortiicos. Scores were in their lineal championship clash, which aired Saturday evening live on DAZN in front of a crowdless Plazamedia Broadcasting Center in Munich, Germany.
The World Boxing Super Series and the cruiserweight division have been a largely successful marriage. The structure, format, and matches have allowed for the division to define itself in the ring over the last three years. The original WBSS tournament in the class crowned a clear, true world champion in a field that featured six of the then-top ten fighters in the class according to TBRB. The sequel, despite the loss of Oleksandr Usyk and Murat Gassiev, had the same ratio in its favor.
In a way, Mairis Briedis was presented with a good problem. The former two-time cruiserweight titlist was presented with a choice to make between two intriguing scenarios: either proceed in the World Boxing Super Series tournament where he would face Yuniel Dorticos (24-2, 22KOs) in the final round; or honor a World Boxing Organization (WBO)-mandated rematch with Krzysztof Glowacki, whom he stopped in controversial fashion in the WBSS semifinal round.
Briedis, Dorticos Weights Photo Gallery - Mairis Briedis and Yuniel Dorticos both made weight ahead of tomorrow’s WBSS Cruiserweight Ali Trophy final at the Plazamedia Studios in Munich. At the same time, the finalists faced off for the final time and gave their final statements before the battle in Bavaria for The Greatest Prize in Boxing.
Yuniel Dorticos and Mairis Briedis stayed ready to avoid having to get ready. The pair of top-rated cruiserweights both made weight for their long-awaited World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) cruiserweight finale, which takes place Saturday evening live on DAZN (3:00 p.m. ET) from Plazamedia Broadcasting Center in Munich, Germany.
Briedis, Dorticos Final Press Conference Photos Gallery - Mairis Briedis (26-1, 19 KOs) and Yuniel Dorticos (24-1, 22 KOs) went head-to-head at the final press conference in Munich ahead of Saturday’s Ali Trophy clash at Plazamedia Studios.
The 15-month wait for this moment to arrive hasn’t at all dulled the enthusiasm of Yuniel Dorticos. Despite two postponements, a six-month delay and a venue change due the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) Season Two cruiserweight final is now days away from crowning a new king. Miami’s Dorticos (24-1, 22KOs) faces Mairis Briedis (26-1, 19KOs) in the tournament finale, one which will crown a new lineal cruiserweight champion.
By Cliff Rold - It’s hard not to wonder if this is it. Plenty of fans in the US might not even realize it’s happening. On June 15, 2019, IBF cruiserweight titlist Yuniel Dorticos (24-1, 22 KO) and former WBC titlist Mairis Briedis (26-1, 19 KO) proved their second chances a charm, clearing the semifinals of the World Boxing Super Series and setting the stage for an...