Russian Boxing Federation: Usyk vs Gassiev, July 21 in Moscow

The General Secretary of Russian Boxing Federation, Umar Kremlev, announced at a press conference that the highly anticipated fight between Russia's Murat Gassiev and Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk will take place on July 21 in Moscow at the Olympic Stadium.

Usyk vs. Gassiev is the final fight of the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) cruiserweight tournament - and the WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO world titles will be at stake. The winner will become the first four belt champion in the weight division.

"The Super Series final will take place in Moscow on July 21. This will be the start of the International Boxing Day," said Kremlin [sic].

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 considering the scenario of stepping away from the tournament - unless the contest was moved to another location.

However, last week the Olympic gold medal winner set the record straight and made it known that he was willing to fight Gassiev anywhere and he didn't have any intention of walking away from the fight.

Gassiev is the world champion of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and the World Boxing Association (WBA) and has an undefeated record of of 26 wins and 19 by knockout.

On the other end, Usyk is the world champion of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and the World Boxing Council (WBC). And he has an undefeated record of 14 wins and 11 by way of knockout.

Gassiev, who is trained by veteran coach Abel Sanchez, would be viewed as the bigger puncher. And Usyk, with a vast amateur background, would be viewed as the more experienced of the two.

 

I fear Usyk will have to dominate or stop Gassiev to get the nod.
This is like a Russian having to fight a US star in Vegas.

Still props for Usyk to go on with it anyway, with the deck stacked against him.

 

Yes, it could be tough, although with the WBSS in charge the scoring's been pretty good so far, hope it continues.

 

Winner is top 5 P4P easily.

 

If Usyk defeats Gassiev he'll have beaten Glowacki, Mchunu, Hunter, Huck, Briedis and Gassiev in his first 15 fights.

Very solid resume and much better than other P4P entrants like Spence, Thurman, etc.

 

Best of luck with that one, Usyk.

Seriously, this guy just doesn’t give a flying ****, does he? He’ll go wherever and fight whoever. Mad guts.

 

WBC
WBA
WBO
IBF
Ring
Lineal
Undisputed cruiserweight championship of the WORLD!

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And just think Usyk is a fighter whom @GALVATRON claims has a weak resume.

SMH

 

I don't expect, WBSS involved, anything shady. Call me naive there, you're almost certainly correct... My pick will be Usyk by competitive, 116-112/117-111 UD.

 

They better not screw him in Russia and gassiev better not come in with the energy to do 50 rounds and the strength to knock out super man.

I trust Russian boxing about as much as I trust it in America. Not alot.

 

His resume would be better than Lomachenko's and Crawford's too.

 

I wonder how much is Usyk getting for this fight.

I also wonder they will sell out the stadium.

 

Fully agree.

 

Uysk reminds so much of andre ward in how he will fight anywhere