Tag: Yunier Dorticos

Mairis Briedis vs. Yuniel Dorticos pushed back to May 16

The Mairis Briedis-Yuniel Dorticos fight, scheduled for March 21 in Latvia, has been pushed back to May 16 as a result of coronavirus.

Now it’s the turn of Mairis Briedis vs. Yuniel Dorticos.

The World Boxing Super Series final and cruiserweight title fight between Briedis and Dorticos, scheduled for March 21 in Riga, Latvia, has been pushed back to May 16 as a result of the coronavirus threat, the BBC reported.

The site remains the same. And tickets for March 21 will be honored on May 16.

Latvian officials have banned events with more than 200 people until April.

“We will adapt to the new situation, keep training and wait for the green light,” said Briedis, a Latvian who will be challenging for Dorticos’ 200-pound title.

“Looking forward to fighting in front of my fans when it’s safe! Take care of yourself, people.”

Said Dorticos: “I understand the impracticality and therefore l will have to wait until May to win the tournament. I ask that everyone be careful and take the necessary steps to stay healthy during these challenging times.”

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Mairis Breidis-Yunier Dorticos fight could be moved and/or delayed

Mairis Breidis-Yunier Dorticos fight could be moved and/or delayed

The Mairis Breidis-Yunier Dorticos cruiserweight showdown might have to moved and/or be postponed because of a Latvian ban on public events.

Another significant fight is in jeopardy because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Mairis Breidis-Yunier Dorticos cruiserweight final in the World Boxing Super Series might have to moved and/or be postponed because of a Latvian ban on public events.

The bout is scheduled for March 21 in Riga, Breidis’ hometown. Latvia has imposed a month-long ban, starting Friday.

“The World Boxing Super Series has learned, as a consequence of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, the government of Latvia has decided that all public events, meetings, processions and pickets with more than 200 participants are banned as of March 13 (until) April 14,” the WBSS said in a statement.

“We are assessing the consequences for the WBSS cruiserweight final, scheduled for March 21 in Riga, with local authorities and the fighters’ teams. We will make a further statement in the coming days.”

The bout has already been subjected to delays. Neither Briedis (26-1, 19 KOs) nor Dorticos (24-1, 22 KOs), a Cuban living in Miami, has fought in about nine months.

Season 3 of WBSS to start in ‘September, October’

The World Boxing Super Series will return for a third season later this fall, according to WBSS organizer Nisse Sauerland.

The third season of the World Boxing Super Series has a working date, but the weight classes are still up in the air.

Nisse Sauerland, who runs the WBSS with his brother Kalle, told FightHubTV at the Caleb Plant-Vincent Feigenbutz post-fight press conference in Nashville that he expects the next installment of the tournament will begin in the last quarter of the year.

“We’re gearing up for season three, which will start September, October time,” Sauerland said.

The season two cruiserweight finals between Yunier Dorticos and Mairis Briedis has been set for March 21 in Riga, Latvia.

Sauerland, however, wouldn’t tip his hand as to which weight classes they would be concentrating on for their next installment. 

“Me and my brother have sort of given up calling weights,” Sauerland said. “Because whenever (somebody says), ‘ah, that would be a great weight, middleweights,’ then suddenly loads of things happens and it just doesn’t become possible. It’s just like a dream that doesn’t come true.We’ll start calling that closer to the time. Boxing can change very quickly.”

Sauerland says he expects to finalize which weight classes will be featured in the next season by “May, June time.”

As for the weight classes that he’s most personally keen on, Sauerland cited a few.

“Lightweights would be great. There’s a lot of weight classes I like at the moment,” he said. “Middleweight, super middles again. Lots of interesting weights out there.” 

Since its inception in 2017, the WBSS has been heavily lauded for finding a way to get the best fighters to face each other in an otherwise fragmented sport beleaguered by internal politics. Cruiserweight Oleksandr Usyk and super middleweight Callum Smith were anointed as the winners of the first season. Last year, the WBSS crowned Josh Taylor and Naoya Inoue as (partially) unified titleholders in the junior welterweight and bantamweight tournaments, respectively.

Mairis Briedis-Yuniel Dorticos WBSS final set for March 21 in Latvia

Mairis Briedis will face Yuniel Dorticos in the final of the WBSS on March 21 at the Arena Riga in Riga, Latvia, Briedis’ hometown.

Mairis Briedis will vie for the World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight championship in a familiar locale.

Briedis will face Yuniel Dorticos in the final of the tournament on March 21 at the Arena Riga in Riga, Latvia, Briedis’ hometown. The fight will be streamed on DAZN.

Briedis (26-1, 19 KOs) defeated Noel Gevor by a unanimous decision in the quarterfinals and then stopped Krzysztof Glowacki in three rounds in the semis to reach the WBSS championship match. Dorticos (24-1, 22 KOs) beat Mateusz Masternak by a unanimous decision and knocked out Andrew Tabiti in 10 rounds.

“I’m really looking forward to the final,” said Briedis, the tournament’s No. 1 seed. “It is fantastic for Latvia to be able to host an event of such magnitude. Millions and millions of eyes worldwide will be watching what’s happening at the Arena Riga on fight night.

“It is going to be a thrilling fight as I’m facing one of the very best cruiserweights on the planet. The stake is so high and both of us are only looking for one thing – to win it all.”

Dorticos, a Cuban emigre, is known for his punching power.

“Briedis, you better prepare yourself for war,” said Dorticos, the No. 2 seed. “Let’s give all the fans around the world a spectacular all-time classic. Come fight night you will know why I’m called the ‘KO Doctor’. The Muhammad Ali Trophy has my name engraved already.”

Oleksander Usyk won the inaugural WBSS cruiserweight tournament to establish himself as the top 200-pounder and then moved up to heavyweight. The winner of the March 21 fight also will be seen as the No. 1 cruiserweight.

Briedis lost a majority decision to Usyk in January 2018, which arguably was the toughest fight of Usyk’s career.

Here are the previous winners of the Muhammad Ali Trophy, signifying the tournament champion:

2018-19: Naoya Inoue, bantamweight
2018-19: Josh Taylor, junior welterweight
2017-18: Aleksandr Usyk, cruiserweight
2017-18: Callum Smith, super middleweight

Mairis Briedis stripped of title for choosing Dorticos over Glowacki: report

Mairis Briedis was stripped of his WBO title for refusing to defend against Krzysztof Glowacki in favor of fighting for the WBSS title.

Mairis Briedis had a choice. The once-beaten titleholder could face his mandatory challenger, Krzysztof Glowacki, in a rematch or take on Yunier Dorticos in the final of the World Boxing Super Series.

The Latvian chose the latter, which prompted the WBO to strip him of his belt, according to BoxingScene.com.

Thus, Briedis (26-1, 19 knockouts) is expected to fight Dorticos (24-1, 22 KOs) for the tournament championship and Dorticos’ portion of the 200-pound crown.

Meanwhile, Glowacki is in position to fight for the vacant WBO title. The next-highest-ranked contender is Lawrence Okolie of the U.K.

Briedis stopped Glowacki in the third round of a foul-filled, controversial fight, which was poorly handled by referee Robert Byrd, in June in Riga, Latvia, Briedis’ hometown.

The WBO initially decided to defer to local officials on the legitimacy of the outcome but ordered a rematch within 120 days of the WBSS final, according to BoxingScene.com. The sanctioning body later ordered an immediate rematch after it was learned that neither fighter nor Byrd was licensed by the local commission.

Glowacki (31-2, 19 KOs) is a two-time cruiserweight titleholder.