Boxing in 2018: Top 5 bouts to ring in the new year

Murat Gassiev vs. Yunier Dorticos

Historically, the cruiserweight division has been nothing more than a go-between for boxers maturing into the heavyweight division. It has been dead for decades and has been career purgatory for fighters that have lingered there.

But recently, the cruiserweight division has entered a renaissance ripe with boxing talent. Murat Gassiev and Yunier Dorticos are exciting world champions who have helped add buzz to the cruiserweight division.

Murat Gassiev is the IBF cruiserweight champion. He lacks amateur experience but has dominated the professional ranks. He has a record of 25-0 with 18 knockouts. His résumé is lacking in quality opponents, but he has notable wins over former world champion Denis Lebedev and Krzysztof Wlodarczyk.

Yunier Dorticos has the potential to be a boxing superstar. He’s a former Cuban amateur standout, which means that he has quality boxing experience and skill. Unlike other former amateur stars, he’s blessed with elite knockout power.

Dorticos has a record of 22-0 with 21 knockouts. He boasts a 95 percent KO rating. His ability to knock out opponent is making him a quick fan favorite. Like Gassiev, he hasn’t fought many quality opponents, but he did take on Dmitry Kudryashov in his last bout. Kudryashov was a highly regarded rising contender at the time, and Dorticos stopped his momentum. Actually, that’s a bit of an understatement.

In Round 2, Dorticos chipped away at Kudryashov’s chin with countless straight rights. Kudryashov was able to catch most of them with his gloves, but one got through. It was enough to end Kudryashov’s night and slow the ascent of his career.

Dorticos might have one of the most powerful right hands in all of boxing. Gassiev is a worthy opponent who will test Dorticos’s power. This will be an exciting fight that showcases two top-tier talents. They meet on Saturday, Feb. 3, in Gassiev’s home country, Russia.