Briedis, Gassiev and Wlodarczyk officially confirmed for the cruiserweight tournament

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by KiwiMan, Jun 2, 2017.


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  1. KiwiMan

    KiwiMan Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    The first three star names have signed up for the inaugural season of the World Boxing Super Series. IBF Cruiserweight World Champion Murat Gassiev (24-0, 17 KOs), WBC World Champion Mairis Briedis (22-0, 18 KOs) as well as former IBF / WBC champion & IBF top-ranked challenger Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (53-3-1, 37 KOs) will all participate in the revolutionary global knock-out tournament, with five more elite fighters to be confirmed shortly. The winner will receive the GREATEST prize in boxing, the Muhammad Ali Trophy.

    Boasting a combined record of 99 wins and 3 losses along with 72 KOs, Gassiev, Briedis and Wlodarczyk can´t wait to get in on and write history.

    “It is an honor to be in the World Boxing Super Series,“ said Gassiev, who holds the IBF title. “This is the best fighting the best. I have never lost a fight, I am the IBF champion and I look forward to winning the other belts as well to cement my position as the best fighter in the division!“

    WBC Champion Briedis is also thrilled to participate. “This is the Champions League of boxing and I am going to prove that I am the world´s best cruiserweight,” he said. “The competition will be tough, but to be the best, you have to beat the best.”

    Wlodarczyk, the former IBF & WBC Champion who now occupies the number one spot in the IBF rankings, is equally confident of success. “I will stamp my authority on the division by beating the best cruiserweights out there and winning the World Boxing Super Series,” he stated. “There is a reason the winner gets the Muhammad Ali Trophy. He was the Greatest of all time, and the winner of this tournament has the right to call himself the greatest cruiserweight of our time.”

    Saturday will mark the first anniversary of Muhammad Ali´s death. Roberto Dalmiglio, Comosa´s Head of Management Board, paid tribute to the GREATEST of all time. “Nobody will ever forget what Ali has achieved,” he said. “He was the GREATEST of all time because he defeated the best opponents out there. The World Boxing Super Series is all about the best fighting the best, and that is why we named the trophy after him.”

    With three high-profile signings confirmed and many more to come, the stage is set for an exciting tournament. “The quest for the Muhammad Ali Trophy has officially begun and we are thrilled to welcome two unbeaten world champions and a top-ranked challenger, who is a former champion, to the World Boxing Super Series,” Dalmiglio said. “They have accepted the ultimate challenge to determine the best cruiserweight in the world.”

    Season 1 of the World Boxing Super Series will feature the cruiserweights and super-middleweight divisions. In each weight class, eight top fighters will battle out a bracket-style elimination tournament. There will be four quarter-finals (September / October 2017), two semi-finals (early 2018) and one final (May 2018), which makes for a total of 14 high-class fights. “We have received a massive amount of applications for both divisions,” said Kalle Sauerland, Comosa`s Chief Boxing Officer. “The best fighters are lining up to be in the tournament. Just like the fans, they love the format and the fact that there will only be one man standing at the end.”

    Richard Schaefer, Comosa`s Chairman of the Americas, added: “We promised you the biggest names and champions in the divisions and here we are delivering. More names will follow shortly. We simply can’t wait to get the action started!”

    The quarter-final pairings will be determined during the Draft Gala in Monaco in early July. In each weight class, the four top-seeded boxers (which will be determined by the Comosa Board) will select their quarter-final opponents from the four unseeded boxers. Once the pairings are set, the exact fight dates and venues will be announced. Details about the participants in the super-middleweight division will be revealed shortly.
     
    KiwiMan, Jun 2, 2017
    KiwiMan, Jun 2, 2017
    #1
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  2. KiwiMan

    KiwiMan Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Who do you think wins Briedis vs Gassiev if it happens?
     
    KiwiMan, Jun 2, 2017
    KiwiMan, Jun 2, 2017
    #2
    Serge likes this.
  3. Serge

    Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

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    That's great news. Wlod is a bit long the tooth to stand a realistic chance of winning this but the inclusion of Gassiev and Breidis is awesome news.
     
    Serge, Jun 2, 2017
    Serge, Jun 2, 2017
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  4. Serge

    Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

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    That's a tough one to predict. Really tough. Briedis is the more skilled but Gassiev has that savage lights out power that can end a fight at anytime in the blink of an eye. That said, Briedis hits extremely hard himself. I don't know I'd have to give it some thought.
     
    Serge, Jun 2, 2017
    Serge, Jun 2, 2017
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  5. Robney

    Robney ᴻᴼ ᴸᴼᴻᴳᴲᴿ ᴲ۷ᴵᴸ

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    That's a real tough one. I have them as my #2 and #3 Cruisers at the moment, and this is as 50/50 as it gets.

    Muhammad Ali Trophy.... at cruiserweight. Although it's closer to Ali's weight in his prime as the current HW's, so maybe it's not that weird.

    Please have the winner of Kudryashov vs Durodola II in there too.
     
    Robney, Jun 2, 2017
    Robney, Jun 2, 2017
    #5
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  6. Serge

    Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

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    Briedis said he fought with an injured shoulder and a broken rib when he fought Durodola. If that's the case, and I have no reason to suspect Briedis would lie as he's an absolute gent and he really doesn't seem the type to make stuff up like that, it's really impressive that he was able to do what he did to a beast like Durodola given that. Durodola's chin and his capacity to absorb punishment are insane. He's one tough SOB.

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    Serge, Jun 2, 2017
    Serge, Jun 2, 2017
    #6
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  7. Badbot

    Badbot You can just do things.

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    Did not expect this. Man, this thing is really kicking into gear.
     
    Badbot, Jun 2, 2017
    Badbot, Jun 2, 2017
    #7
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  8. The Ripper

    The Ripper Member Full Member

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    Can't wait for the super middles
     
    The Ripper, Jun 2, 2017
    The Ripper, Jun 2, 2017
    #8
  9. Odins beard

    Odins beard Fentanyl is one hell of a drug.... Full Member

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    Most competitive division in boxing currently, can't wait.
     
    Odins beard, Jun 2, 2017
    Odins beard, Jun 2, 2017
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  10. Kevin Willis

    Kevin Willis Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    The chance of this coming off without several hitches is next to impossible. Great concept in theory but in reality it will get more complaints in the long run than praise due to the inevitable issues with implementation and participation.
     
    Kevin Willis, Jun 2, 2017
    Kevin Willis, Jun 2, 2017
    #10
  11. Badbot

    Badbot You can just do things.

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    It will likely go a lot smoother than the Super6 did. No brackets in this one.
     
    Badbot, Jun 2, 2017
    Badbot, Jun 2, 2017
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  12. Robney

    Robney ᴻᴼ ᴸᴼᴻᴳᴲᴿ ᴲ۷ᴵᴸ

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    Yep. At least in this case it's an elimination style tournament. Takes less time and we won't have that dreaded replacement issue we had with the S6.
     
    Robney, Jun 2, 2017
    Robney, Jun 2, 2017
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  13. Dirsspaardis

    Dirsspaardis Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Been saying for a while that CW is the best division right now and this is yet another proof. Not only we have many talented fighters there, they're about to go at it with each other instead of the "right time/money" crap I'm so tired to see.
    I'll root for Briedis (obviously, @teamLatvia) but I think Gassiev might stop him. Dude is a freaking terminator.
     
    Dirsspaardis, Jun 2, 2017
    Dirsspaardis, Jun 2, 2017
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  14. The Long Count

    The Long Count Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Awesome news.
     
    The Long Count, Jun 2, 2017
    The Long Count, Jun 2, 2017
    #14
  15. Dirsspaardis

    Dirsspaardis Boxing Addict Full Member

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    This. And please do not, under any circumstances, let Bellend near this event. Even as a commentator.
    Eager to find out who else will be there. Having all 4 alphabet champs in this would probably be too much to ask :D
     
    Dirsspaardis, Jun 2, 2017
    Dirsspaardis, Jun 2, 2017
    #15
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