The “semi-final” label attached to this fight may be taking some of the glamor and luster away. The WBSS tourney has proved to be a great platform for premium boxing and has matched the best against the best, a rarity in our sport.
Usyk vs Gassiev – We have a final!
We have a final: Gassiev beats Dorticos to face Usyk in Jeddah
Russia’s Murat Gassiev dropped Yunier Dorticos three times in the 12th round and dramatically stopped the previously unbeaten Cuban with just eight seconds remaining of a highly entertaining Ali Trophy semi-final at Bolshoy Ice Dome in Sochi, Russia.
Gassiev vs Usyk: Is it even possible to pick a winner?!
Fans everywhere have been treated to a quite sensational tournament of top class boxing with the still ongoing but soon to be settled World Boxing Super Series; both the 168 and 200 pound tournaments thrilling millions. Having thus far gone without a hitch (not to tempt fate at this late stage in both tourneys) we have seen great fights, great presentation, great professionalism and we have had great value for money.
Joe Joyce could face Dereck Chisora later this year; is it too soon for the 1-0 hope?
Last night, during a backstage meeting before the less than thrilling (failed to live up to the hype, pre-fight was of words) cruiserweight showdown between Lawrence Okolie and Isaac Chamberlain (won by Okolie via lopsided decision) Dereck Chisora and David Haye met up. The subject was a possible fight between “Del Boy” and unbeaten 2016 Olympic silver medal winner Joe Joyce.
Result: Gilberto Ramirez stops Habib Ahmed
WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (37-0, 25 KOs) used his big size advantage over the smaller, weaker little known fighter Habib Ahmed (22-1, 17 KOs) in stopping him in the 6th round on on Saturday night in a dreadful mismatch on ESPN at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. This was not a good fight.
Murat Gassiev stops Yunier Dorticos in 12th round of a classic battle
Tonight in Russia, in the second semifinal of the WBSS cruiserweight tournament, Russian hero and defending IBF champ Murat Gassiev added the WBA crown to his name as he sensationally stopped Cuba’s Yunier Dorticos in the 12th and final round of an incredible battle.
Having hurt Dorticos with a huge left hook that sent the Cuban down on his back, Gassiev blasted away with his bombs, scoring a further two knockdowns, the final one forcing referee Eddie Claudio to halt the fight. Time was 2:52 of the very last round.
Results: Jerwin Ancajas TKOs Israel Gonzalez
IBF World super flyweight champion Jerwin ‘Pretty Boy’ Ancajas (29-1-1, 20 KOs) dominated an over-matched fringe contender Israel Gonzalez (21-2, 8 KOs) in stopping him in the 10th round on Saturday night on ESPN at the Bank of America Center, in Corpus Christi.
Madison Square Garden in big bid to host GGG-Canelo II; Abel Sanchez says Canelo should be a man of his word
The upcoming May 5 rematch between middleweight giants Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez could take place in New York, at the historic Madison Square Garden. Although Las Vegas, scene of course of the first fight back in September, remains the frontrunner to host the anticipated rematch, Madison Square Garden is being strongly considered.
Who will Manny Pacquiao fight next – Mike Alvarado? Lucas Matthysse?
There are a couple of names being bandied around as possible comeback foes for Manny Pacquiao, who is not done yet with boxing even though he will turn 40 before the year is out. Now that we can forget (for the time being) about a Pacquiao challenge of current P-4-P king Vasyl Lomachenko, two other names appear to have more of a realistic shot at getting in there with Pac-Man this spring: Mike Alvarado and Lucas Matthysse.
Gilberto Ramirez vs Habib Ahmed: WBO world title fight tonight
Ghana’s undefeated WBO Africa super middleweight champ, Habib Ahmed (25-0-1, 17 KOs) has the chance to write his name in the record books later tonight in the USA when he faces reigning WBO super middleweight champion, Gilberto Ramirez (36-0, 24 KOs) for the world title.
Ahmed who goes into his first professional fight outside of Ghana, tilted the scales at 166.75 lbs to the 168 lbs of Ramirez who even needed to strip naked before making the limit at their weigh-in on Friday at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, same venue for the fight itself on Saturday night live on ESPN.