Boxing: Murat Gassiev stops Yunier Dorticos by TKO in round 12
In the cruiserweight semifinals of the World Boxing Super Series, Murat Gassiev made a name for himself by stopping Yunier Dorticos in the 12th.
The final semifinal bout of the cruiserweight World Boxing Super Series proved to be eventful. Murat Gassiev stayed undefeated by handing Yunier Dorticos his first defeat. Yunier Dorticos was 22-0 with 21 knockouts before he stepped into the ring with Gassiev. Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever and neither did Dorticos’s undefeated record.
Dorticos was a seasoned amateur on the Cuban national team before he turned professional. In contrast, Gassiev had less than 30 amateur fights before turning professional at the age of 17. Logically, Dorticos should be the more skilled boxer, but there’s something special about Murat Gassiev.
In his seven years as a pro, Gassiev has developed into a highly skilled puncher-boxer who is versatile and well-rounded. He was able to outbox Dorticos and systematically break him down during the course of their matchup.
Dorticos looked strong during the first half of the fight. He took the center of the ring in round one and was able to put Gassiev on the defensive. He used his jab and played the role of aggressor.
Gassiev displayed fast hands in round two. He counterpunched well to Dorticos’s body and head, but he probably still lost the round because he was backpedaling.
In round three, Gassiev’s output decreased dramatically. Dorticos landed several left, right combos, but Gassiev absorbed most of them with his gloves. Dorticos was in control of the round and the fight.
He continued to dominate through the midpoint of round four, but Gassiev hooked to Dorticos’s head and body. Dorticos took Gassiev’s shots well. He demonstrated a strong chin and continued to press forward.
Gassiev changed the tone of the fight in round five. He landed a series of uppercuts on Dorticos that dented in his armor. He continued to punish Dorticos with hooks that badly hurt him. Dorticos held onto Gassiev as the bell sounded to end the round.
Gassiev started walking down Dorticos for the first time of the fight in round six. Dorticos’ head hadn’t cleared and Gassiev took advantage winning the round easily.
By round nine, Gassiev was starting to hit Dorticos at will. He was doubling up his left hook with an uppercut. Dorticos tried to cover his head with a high guard, but Gassiev split his defenses with his uppercut.
Gassiev continued his assault in rounds 10 and 11. By the end of the 11th, Dorticos was holding onto Gassiev for dear life. He was exhausted and hurt. Gassiev’s body punches from earlier in the fight took their toll on Dorticos. He had nothing left.
It was no surprise when Gassiev dropped Dorticos three times in round 12. Dorticos deserves credit for his valor in the face of defeat. He rose to his feet after each knockdown, but the referee stepped in and stopped the bout. He saved Dorticos from himself.
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With this victory, Gassiev now holds the IBF and WBA cruiserweight titles. He will fight Oleksandr Usyk in the finals of the World Boxing Super Series on May 11 in Saudia Arabia. The winner will be the undisputed cruiserweight champion of the world.
Gassiev is the underdog against Usyk, but he has proven to be a skilled champion who is capable of beating boxers with a stronger punch. Usyk is a force to be reckoned with, but Gassiev is up for the challenge.