Mairis Briedis gets the decision against Yuniel Dorticos to take home the Muhammad Ali trophy in World Boxing Super Series final
After months of waiting, we finally got a conclusion to the World Boxing Super Series Cruiserweight final which saw Mairis Briedis get the better of the heavy-handed Yuniel Dorticos.
The Final, which was supposed to take place back in March, was held behind closed doors at the Plazamedia Broadcasting Center, Munich, Germany.
The fight played out as many thought it would, with Dorticos taking centre-ring and Briedis boxing on the backfoot.
Briedis executed the perfect gameplan against the always dangerous Dorticos - keeping out of reckless exchanges and instead, countering and moving, rarely letting himself get pinned down.
The rounds were always competitive, but for the most part, Briedis had the better of the exchanges, landing quick, accurate combinations while circling away from the big right hand of the 'The KO Doctor'.
Despite Briedis looking the clear winner, it was a mixed decision on the judges' cards with scores of 114-114, 117-111, and 117-111 in his favour.
The win takes Briedis to 27-1, having lost just once in his professional career to former undisputed cruiserweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk. Meanwhile, Dorticos' record now stands at 24-2, having lost previously to Murat Gassiev.
It was the second attempt at winning the tournament for both men, with each making it to the semi-finals in the first season of the WBSS.
Briedis now joins the select group of WBSS winners that includes Oleksandr Usyk, Callum Smith, Josh Taylor and Naoya Inoue.
Have an opinion? Leave a comment...