The Pride of Ukraine takes on the Defender of Ossentia in Northern Russia. This fight is a true stake to the World Boxing Super Series Crown, and after much waiting and deliberation, our final is at hand.
With Usyk eliminating Breidis and Gassiev getting Dorticos out of the equation, both men representing the caucaus region will basically fight for the utmost European title. With both men fighting at cruiserweight in this tournament for supremacy, we could see the likes of men like Tony Bellew and eventual, smaller heavyweights like Dillian Whyte in the mix with the WBSS winner. Usyk vs. Bellew has always been wanted by British fans since that is a very good matchup stylistically, but cruiserweight is hard to gain traction with because there isn't much talent to offer up.
With Usyk or Gassiev winning the title, there won't be many men to join another year long tournament with the possibility of many months of down time and no pay. Usyk will be a favorite going into this fight (as he is the Olympic Gold Medalist), but many future heavyweight battles await him... including a rematch between him and streaking contender Joe Joyce. As Usyk already beat Joyce in the Olympics, a rematch between him at the professional level with titles at stake make that matchup all the more enticing.
Joyce fought much of his amateur career at cruiser, and the weight and size of both divisions aren't too different from each other. Usyk vs. Joyce is absolutely the matchup to make, but if Gassiev wins, the path for the WBSS title changes completely. Murat Gassiev is a tremendous boxer fighting out of Abel Sanchez's camp in Big Bear, CA with the likes of middleweight king Gennady Golovkin. Gassiev poses many threats at the top 5 level in terms of cruiser and light heavyweight, but I can't see him hanging with even the lower tier of heavyweight. A guy like Sefer Seferi whom just got demolished by a very rusty Tyson Fury would give Gassiev problems, but I can see Usyk being just big enough to handle it.
Fighting is consistently the most interesting matchup because of the styles different men pose to each other. Gassiev possesses the power advantage against Usyk, but Usyk possesses the speed and combination punching to fluster most anyone. Both men have immense cardio, and in the heart of Mother Russia, I can't see either one giving in easily. This will be one for the ages, don't miss it!
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