WBSS Final: Usyk-Gassiev preview & prediction
In what is the biggest fight in cruiserweight history, unified champions Oleksandr Usyk and Murat Gassiev will have a place in history on the line, as they face off to crown an undisputed cruiserweight champion.
On July 21 in Moscow, Russia, the World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight tournament will come to a close, as Oleksandr Usyk and Murat Gassiev will fight to determine an undisputed cruiserweight champion. In addition to coming out with all four recognized belts (WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF), the victor will also be awarded the Muhammad Ali trophy, which is given to the victor of the tournament.
On paper, it is one of the best fights to make in boxing, and figures to deliver action in the ring as well.
The Fighters:
Oleksandr Usyk (Ukraine) | Record: 14-0, 11 KOs
Age: 31 | Height/Reach: 6’3″/78″
Murat Gassiev (Russia) | Record: 26-0, 19 KOs
Age: 24 | Height/Reach: 6’3.5″/76″
Preview
This is a must-see fight for boxing fans, as it has the potential to be a fight of the year candidate. Both fighters have reasons to feel confident going in to the matchup.
Usky is certainly the more naturally skilled fighter of the two. A 2012 Olympic gold medalist, he posses great boxing skills, especially for someone of his size. He has excellent footwork, and has more in his arsenal than Gassiev.
Despite being 31 years old, Usky has fought professionally just 14 times, and has been a professional just shy of five years. Usyk knows he is the better boxer, and surely believes he will be able to outbox the Russian, maybe even leading to a late stoppage.
Gassiev on the other hand, an excellent boxer-puncher, has to feel great coming off of his late stoppage over the undefeated Yunier Dorticos in the semifinal matchup of this tournament. He likely feels he can wear down Usyk, and hang around long enough to land clean, ending the fight early with his power.
If Usyk were to win, he would become the undisputed cruiserweight champion in just his 15th fight. Gassiev on the other hand, would become undisputed champion at age 24. It is hard to figure which of those is more impressive, either would be something to talk about for years to come.
Prediction
This is truly a 50/50 matchup, and it is tough to call. Just about any outcome seems possible to unfold.
The two most likely outcomes, however, are a Usky decision win, or a Gassiev KO. In most cases like this, I go with the better boxer. However, not this time.
My pick is Gassiev.
One reason is that Gassiev is coming off of a better win. It was arguably the most impressive performance of any fighter in the tournament, and the momentum will carry over.
With just 25 amateur fights, and at just 24 years old, he has managed to make it to the final of a stacked tournament featuring the best cruiserweights in the world. While that certainly could be used as a reason to favor the better boxer, who has a wealth of amateur experience, I think it is a reason to go with Gassiev, as there seems to be something special about him.
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He showed great determination in his last fight, and I feel he will hang around long enough to land something that stops the fight, likely while being down on the cards.
Additionally, and I hope this ends up not being an issue, there is the chance of home-town favoritism. The fight is taking place in Russia, where Gassiev is from.
It would be a shame if this fight goes the distance, and is ruined by unfair judging (like the Pacquiao-Horn fight last summer).
Here’s to hoping there is no bias with the judges, the right man wins, and most importantly, that the fight delivers as a fight of the year candidate that many feel it has the potential to be.
Final Prediction: Murat Gassiev, TKO Round 10