The first World Boxing Super Series final is upon us, as Cruiserweights Aleksandr Usyk takes on Murat Gassiev for all the marbles. On July 21, 2018, live from the Olympic Stadium in Moscow, Russia the Cruiserweight division will have a unified champion.
Both fighters have battled their way to the final and if the all prior bouts of the tournament are any indication of what to expect, then fans are in for a real treat.
Usyk, perhaps the better boxer will have his hands full trying to avoid the shots of the powerful Gassiev. The bout is scheduled for 12 tough rounds with the fight starting at 3:00 PM EST and the odds are as close as can be.
Read on to see how the RBRBoxing staff sees this fight playing out.
Round By Round Boxing Staff Predictions - 2020
| Name | Win | Loss | Total Fights | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Burgos | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0.5 |
| Hans Themistode | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0.66666666666667 |
| R.L. Woodson | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0.8 |
| Robert Contreras | 6 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
Aleksandr Usyk vs. Murat Gassiev
World Boxing Super Series
Ty Paul, Staff Writer
Best fight of the summer, bar none. Undefeated lions at the top of their game in Murat Gassiev and Aleksandr Usyk.
When the World Boxing Super Series rolled out, this undisputed championship fight is what they dreamed of making in this series.
I picked Murat Gassiev to win it before the tournament started. No chance in hell I’m going back now. What a fight.
Prediction: Gassiev
Joshua Diaz, Staff Writer
Aleksandr Usyk vs. Murat Gassiev can easily be a fight of the year candidate. Usyk should use his boxing skills, footwork, and volume punching to defeat Gassiev.
Prediction: Usyk
R.L. Woodson, Staff Writer
The matchup comes down to Aleksandr Usyk’s range, volume and him maintaining his output over the fight’s final rounds. The Ukrainian is capable of punching his way to a sizable lead in landed shots over the first several rounds, and if he can continue to be first and outbox Murat Gassiev for large stretches of the rounds… if he can’t put Gassiev away, then what?
I’m not sure Gassiev can edge Usyk in the volume department, but it is possible that he can win enough rounds to edge out a decision. There’s also the possibility that along with his power, he’s crafty enough to put together the right array of punches to stop the 31-year-old Uysk.
So, with him having more ways to win the fight, Gassiev gets his hand raised in his homeland. Maybe we even see something dramatic from “Iron” around the 10th or 11th.
Prediction: Gassiev
Peter Nieves, Senior Writer
This is a mouth-watering matchup and the argument can be made for either one of this Cruiserweight behemoths. Most of the time, I tend to lean towards the better boxer, in this case, Aleksandr Usyk. That’s not what my gut is telling me this time around.
While I think that Usyk can very well box his way to a close decision, Murat Gassiev throws punches with some really bad intentions and can really put together some hard-hitting combinations when he wants. I’m taking Gassiev.
Prediction: Gassiev
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
How can you not be in love with the whole World Boxing Super Series concept? They set out to crown one champion and look what they’re doing–crowning one champion! When this whole tournament started, the possibility of an Aleksandr Usyk vs. Murat Gassiev finale had true boxing fans beyond giddy. Now that this incredible matchup is one day away all I can say is, “I am feel.”
I picked Aleksandr Usyk to take home the Ali Trophy when it all started, but I think Murat Gassiev has matured with each passing fight and gotten better. He may certainly be ready to hand the gold medal Olympian his first loss, but it won’t be easy.
Usyk’s range and athleticism will be key as he should stick to boxing and moving. Gassiev will try to come forward and impose his will, so it’ll come down to who gets their way. I’ll take Usyk by decision in an entertaining bout.
Prediction: Usyk
Header photo by Valery Sharifulin\TASS
