Dorticos vs Kudryashov: Weigh-In Photos

By World Boxing Super Series - 09/23/2017 - Comments

Yunier Dorticos 199 vs. Dmitry Kudryashov 200
Lateef Kayode 197.75 vs. Keith Tapia 197.5
Nonito Donaire 125.5 vs. Ruben Garcia Hernandez 126

Fight week in San Antonio officially kicked-off as Yunier Dorticos and Dmitry Kudryashov went face-to-face Wednesday at the final press conference before their Saturday, September 23 World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight quarterfinal showdown taking place at the Alamodome.

Also in attendance Wednesday were once-beaten cruiserweights Keith Tapia and Lateef Kayode, who meet in a WBSS reserve match, plus former world champion Nonito Donaire, who battles Mexico’s Ruben Garcia Hernandez.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvvGEWC8D44

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Ringstar Sports in association with World Boxing Super Series, are priced at $250, $125, $100, $50, and $30, and are on sale now. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com.

Fans in the U.S. can stream the WBSS action live by signing up at WorldBoxingSuperSeries.com on fight night. Make sure to follow the WBSS on all of your social media platforms for updates from fight week and fight night.

Prior to the press conference, local undercard fighters participated in a media workout at Rumble Gym by Jesse James Leija in downtown San Antonio before they enter the ring on Saturday night.

Here is what the press conference participants had to say Wednesday:

YUNIER DORTICOS

“I’m happy to be a part of this great event. On Saturday night you will see what I’m all about. Saturday is going to be an explosive matchup and I will leave with my belt.

“This is definitely going to be an exciting fight but I have to focus on my game plan and being at the very top of my game on Saturday.

“I’ve trained really hard for this fight. None of the storms in Miami have slowed me down at all. There will be no excuses on fight night.

“To be a part of this tournament is truly an honor and I know that it’s going to put me at the top of this division. I’ve always believed in my abilities and now I can go prove myself against the best.

“Winning the Muhammad Ali Trophy would mean so much to me because he is the fighter that everyone looks up to and tries to be like. Saturday night is my first step toward that goal.

“The fans in San Antonio are in for a great show. That’s on my mind every time I step into the ring and this is really a great opportunity to give the fans something memorable.”

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DMITRY KUDRYASHOV

“I am excited to see all the fans on Saturday night. We both have a lot of knockouts so this is going to be a great fight. I will have my hand raised on Saturday.

“This chance to become a world champion for the first time is something that I have worked towards for many years. This is my dream and the fact that it brings me closer to the Ali Trophy adds even more excitement.

“I know that I have a very tough opponent in front of me. We’ve worked so hard to prepare my body and mind for 12 rounds of war. There is no way I can lose this fight.

“My training camp has been very strong. I’ve been more focused than ever on winning this fight. I knew that I would need to have a great training camp to advance and leave here with the title.

“I always train to deliver a knockout. That is my goal for myself. But I will definitely also be ready to go the full 12 rounds. I’m going to leave it all in the ring on Saturday.

“Being a part of this tournament brings me a lot of joy because it gives me the chance to fight the best. That is why I started boxing and now it is time for me to prove that I’m the best in the world.”

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KEITH TAPIA

“I’m hyped to fight and do what I have to do. I have a really tough opponent and I respect him 100 percent. I’m ready to rock and roll and show off all my skills.

“This is a great chance for me to prove that I am an elite fighter in this division. I’m going to keep working hard until I get my chance at the best.

“We’ll see what happens when we step into the ring but it’ll be a lot of action for all of the fans. I’m ready to show off the ‘Machine Gun’ and get this win.

“I want to shout out to Puerto Rico because they’re going through a lot right now with the storms and they’re always in my heart.”

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LATEEF KAYODE

“I’m ready to fight. On Saturday everyone is going to see a good show and a great fight with two warriors.

“This fight is going to be fought hard all the way until the end. I am going to leave everything in the ring and get this victory any way that I can.

“I’m ready to show that I still have what it takes to be the best in the world and I’m planning on getting this win on Saturday.”

NONITO DONAIRE

“I’m thankful to Ringstar Sports for believing in me. The second half of my career is going to be an explosion. It’s going to be an amazing ride and everyone is going to see great fights. You know I’ll get in there with anybody.

“I think that people take things for granted in this life. I want to enjoy this time in my career and make the best of it. I know that I have a lot left in the tank.

“I’m thrilled to be here in one of the best cities for boxing in the world. I trained in Las Vegas for this fight so I will be able to handle the heat all week.

“I’m ready to destroy everybody in my path. That’s the game plan. I want to get back to that world title shot. I will happily fight anybody for that shot to reclaim my place at the top of the division.

“This is very exciting for me. To be on the card with the World Boxing Super Series is a great honor for me. Having the best fighting the best is exciting for everyone and I’m glad to be here for it.”

RICHARD SCHAEFER, Chairman & CEO of Ringstar Sports

“San Antonio is a fight town. In my opinion it is one of the best fight towns in the United States. The fans can remember countless great fights with awesome crowds and I think we will have that again on Saturday.

“I made a commitment to San Antonio and the fight fans here that if they showed up, I would bring them more fights. That’s what I hope will happen on Saturday. If you show up, I will continue to bring big fights here.

“The World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight tournament features eight fighters, including four world champions and four of the number one ranked challengers for each title. This shows the hunger that all of these fighters have to prove that they are the best in this division.

“This is the second quarter-final matchup of the cruiserweights and I have to say that all of the major U.S. boxing media and around the world are calling Dorticos vs. Kudryashov the best fight of the tournament.

“I am going to guarantee that on Saturday night, you will see a knockout. That’s the only thing these two fighters know how to do. I don’t know who or when, but I’m very comfortable saying this will end in a knockout. These are two guys who know that this is their opportunity to elevate themselves to the forefront of this sport.

“Nonito Donaire is a legend who doesn’t need much introduction. He’s one of the biggest names in the sport because he’s one of those guys you will never see a boring fight from. He always brings excitement and he always gives it his all.

“The reserve match between Keith Tapia and Lateef Kayode is a very even matchup with two once-beaten fighters. You will see fireworks for this fantastic matchup as both men know that this win could get them into the WBSS.”

World Boxing Super Series & Ringstar Sports to Donate 10% of Gate for Saturday’s Dorticos vs. Kudryashov

World Boxing Super Series and Ringstar Sports announced Thursday that 10 percent of the gate for Saturday’s Yunier Dorticos vs. Dmitry Kudryashov WBSS quarter-final taking place at the Alamodome in San Antonio will be donated to the San Antonio Food Bank to aid the ongoing relief effort after Hurricane Harvey.

Every dollar donated creates seven meals for those in need. Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Ringstar Sports in association with World Boxing Super Series, are priced at $250, $125, $100, $50, and $30, and are on sale now. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com.

“San Antonio is a fantastic fight city and now fans will have the chance to catch world class boxing while also helping a great cause,” said Richard Schaefer, Chairman and CEO of Ringstar Sports. “The relief efforts after Hurricane Harvey are ongoing and World Boxing Super Series and Ringstar Sports are proud to be able to help wherever we can. I hope that the tremendous fight fans in San Antonio will show up in full force so that we can raise a lot of money and help a lot of people in need.”

“The San Antonio Food Bank is proud to benefit from the ticket sales for the World Boxing Super Series and Ringstar Sports event this Saturday,” said Chloe Palacios, Corporate Giving Manager for the San Antonio Food Bank. “Every dollar raised will allow us to provide support to those affected by Hurricane Harvey. We greatly appreciate the opportunity provided by World Boxing Super Series and Ringstar Sports and look forward to this exciting event!”

The September 23 event will also feature a reserve match between once-beaten cruiserweights Keith Tapia and Lateef Kayode, while former world champion Nonito Donaire returns to take on Mexico’s Ruben Garcia Hernandez.

Dorticos-Kudryashov on Super Channel

Quarterfinals action in the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) tournament continues this Saturday when World Boxing Association (WBA) Cruiserweight World Champion Yunier “The KO Doctor” Doriticos takes on challenger Dmitry “The Russian Hammer” Kudryashovin the 12-round main event, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, USA.

Once again, Canadian boxing fans will have ringside seats to continue watching all the WBSS tournament action live, airing exclusively on Super Channel, which acquired the rights in Canada to broadcast the World Boxing Super Series from MP & Silva, a leading international media company that provides media rights, digital, technology and sponsorship services.

Dorticos puts his undefeated record on the line against the WBA No. 6-rated Kudryashov, who is from Volgodonsk, Russia. The “Dorticos vs. Kudryashov” card scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on Super Channel.

Cuban-born Dorticos (21-0, 20 KOs), fighting out of Miami, has not fought since May 20, 2016, when he knocked out former (interim) world champion Youri Kalenga (22-2) in the 10th round of their title fight in Paris, to capture the interim WBA 200-pound division championship. The 31-year-old Dorticos, who reportedly had 257 amateur bouts, has also defeated notables such as world title challengers Fulgencio Zuniga, Edison Miranda and Epifanio Mendoza.

“I’m proud to attend a tournament where Muhammad Ali’s name is on the trophy and I’m looking forward to proving that I’m the best cruiserweight in the world,” Dorticos said. I am also happy that this bout is in the United States, which I now consider my country. I am sure that on September 23rd, I will be victorious.

“Kudryashov calls himself ‘Russian Hammer’, but do not forget that there is also a Cuban hammer in this fight. My nickname is ‘The KO Doctor’, and Kudryashov is my next patient.”

Kudryashov (21-1, 20 KOs), 31, the vacant WBC Silver cruiserweight title last December, stopping former world title challenger Santander Silgado (27-3) in the opening round, and he successfully defended his crown this past June, avenging his only pro loss to Olanrewaju Durodola (25-3), in a rematch, by way of a fifth-round stoppage this past June in Russia.

During his outstanding six-year pro career, Kudryashov has defeated the likes of former world title challenger and world champion, respectively, Franciso Palacios (23-2) and Juan Carlos Gomez (55-3), both by first-round knockout.

“I can’t wait for this fight to take place,” Kudryashov commented. “One thing is for sure – the crowd in San Antonio gets an explosive affair that doesn’t go the distance!

“I think it’s amazing that this tournament only contains the best of the best, all four reigning cruiserweight champions. I have respect for Dorticos and the other participants, but they will also respect my hammer because it will bring me all four titles and the Muhammad Ali Trophy”

Based on their pro records, Dorticos vs. Kudryashov certainly doesn’t figure to go the full distance. Dorticos has stopped 20 of 21 opponents, while Kudryashov has knocked out all 21 of the opponents he’s defeated.

The inaugural season of the World Boxing Super Series features two weight classes (cruiserweight & super middleweight), 16 fighters, and a total of 14 main events. An expert panel invited the world’s best boxers to compete, namely the top 15-ranked fighters of the four major federations: WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO. In each weight class, eight boxers will battle it out in a bracket-style elimination tournament, with four quarterfinals (September & October 2017), two semifinals (January & February 2018) and one championship final (May 2018).

World Boxing Super Series is a new revolutionary bracket-style elimination tournament featuring the world`s best boxers and a total of $50 million in prize money. The knockout format of the competition will see the best boxers ultimately compete for the Muhammad Ali Trophy, the greatest prize in boxing. The tournament is organized by newly-founded Comosa AG, a Swiss-registered company with principal owners Highlight Event & Entertainment, Modern Times Group and Team Sauerland. Comosa AG is working in partnership with boxers, promoters and managers around the world, and in alignment with the four major world boxing federations, to create a new global platform for the sport.

Five exciting bouts on the “Dorticos vs. Kudryashov” card, promoted by Ringstar Sports, will air exclusively in Canada on Super Channel.

In the 12-round co-feature, Puerto Rican cruiserweight Keith “Machine Gun” Tapia (17-1, 11 KOs) faces former WBA cruiserweight title challenger Lateef “Power” Kayode (21-1, 16 KOs), fighting out of Hollywood, CA by way of Nigeria.

Also airing live on Super Channel is a 10-round bout for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver featherweight title between seven-time, four-division world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire (37-024 KOs), fighting out of California by way of the Philippines, and Mexican veteran Ruben Garcia “El Tibio” Hernandez (22-2-1, 9 KOs). Lithuanian welterweight Dimanatas Stanionis (2-0, 2 KOs) meets Mexico-native Oscar Valenzuela (9-2-1, 5 KOs) in a six-round bout, while San Antonio middleweight Daniel Baiz (9-1, 5 KOs) faces Cuban Yunier Calzada (6-1-1, 1 KO) in the four-round television opener.

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

WBSS RESULTS & UPCOMING EVENTS ON SUPER CHANNEL

Sept. 9 – Cruiserweight Quarter-Final in Berlin, Germany
WBO Cruiserweight World Championship

Oleksandr Usyk (13-0, 11 KOs), Kiev, Ukraine
WTKO10
Marco Huck (40-5-1, 27 KOs), Berlin, Germany
(Usyk retained WBO cruiserweight title)

Sept. 16 – Super Middleweight Quarter-Final in Liverpool, UK
WBC Super Middleweight Diamond Championship
Callum Smith (23-0, 17 KOs), Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
WDEC12
Erik Skoglund (26-1, 12 KOs), Nykoping, Sweden
(Smith won WBC Diamond super middleweight title)

Sept. 23 – Cruiserweight Quarter-Final in San Antonio, Texas, USA
WBA Cruiserweight World Championship
Yunier Dorticos (21-0, 20 KOs), Champion, Miami, Florida, USA by way of Cuba
vs.
Dmitry Kudryashov (21-1, 21 KOs), Challenger, Volgodonsk, Russia

Sept. 30 – Cruiserweight Quarter-Final in Riga, Latvia
WBC Cruiserweight World Championship
Mairis Briedis (22-0, 18 KOs), Champion, Riga, Latvia
vs.
Mike Perez (22-2-1, 14 KOs), Challenger, Cork, Ireland by way of Cuba

All WBSS fights will also be available on Super Channel On Demand.