All photos by Mark Hermenau/World Boxing Super Series
The drama in Monaco unfolded when the super-middleweights were called onto the stage. As the top seed, WBA Super Champion George Groves had four opponents to choose from. He picked British rival Jamie Cox for a “domestic dust-up.” Second-seeded Callum Smith then selected Swedish sensation Erik Skoglund, with the WBC Diamond Championship on the line due to Smith´s status as the WBC´s top-ranked challenger.
The third seed was given to the winner of next week´s showdown between Chris Eubank Jr. and Arthur Abraham. With both fighters in training, this pairing was represented by Chris Eubank Senior, who chose “The Dentist” Avni Yildirim. This set the stage for the fourth quarter-final between fourth-seed Juergen Braehmer and undefeated US challenger Rob Brant.
The cruiserweight line-up featured all four reigning champions, two former champions, a KO king and a rising challenger. Second-seed Murat Gassiev, the IBF Champion, did not get to pick an opponent because he has to face mandatory challenger Krzysztof Wlodarczyk.
This left Olympic gold medal winner Oleksandr Usyk, the first seed, with Marco Huck, Dmitry Kudryashov and Perez as potential opponents. Usyk selected Huck, with third-seed Briedis then picking Perez. This also set up the clash between fourth-seeded Dorticos and “The Russian Hammer” Kudryashov.
“There could not have been a more exciting start to the World Boxing Super Series,” said Roberto Dalmiglio, Comosa`s Head of Management Board. “This tournament will change the face of boxing because it pits the best against the best in a fan-friendly way. The fans will get to see a lot of exciting fights in a very short time.
Something like this has never been done before. We promised the best fighters out there and today we brought them all together live on stage in the stunning setting of the Grimaldi Forum.”
Said Kalle Sauerland, Comosa`s Chief Boxing Officer: “The last couple of days have been filled with intriguing discussions and speculations about the picks. The waiting is finally over and we are proud to present eight amazing fights.
The inaugural season of the World Boxing Super Series will feature nine undefeated fighters, seven belts, five world champions and three former champions. To see all those stars on one stage was incredible and it will be even more exciting to see all of them in the ring in September and October. There will not be a dull moment in the Muhammad Ali Trophy.”
Said Richard Schaefer, Comosa`s Chairman of the Americas. “I was fortunate to be promoting many fights of Floyd Mayweather, Oscar de la Hoya and so many others but I have to tell you this beats them all. I really believe this has an opportunity to become the brand in the sport of boxing, the kind of tournament fighters really want to participate in because it will elevate their exposure and it will elevate their careers.”
The quarter-finals will be held in September and October, the semi-finals in January and February and the finals in May in top venues around the globe
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Groves vs Cox:
George Groves:
Me and Jamie are old buddies. We’ve known each other a long time now. I quite fancied a bit of a domestic dust up. I wanted to pick my countryman. I know he wanted to fight me. I’ve provided him a great opportunity. He’s fighting for a World title. It’s also a strategic move. It’s a long tournament so I picked the easy guy first.
Jamie Cox:
I was looking forward to getting a UK dust up. George picked me and that makes for a great fight. It’s time to bury a seed!
Smith vs. Skoglund:
Callum Smith:
There were four really good fighters to pick from, three left for me. I just think stylistically Erik is the best fight for me.
Erik Skoglund:
To kick off the quarterfinals against an undefeated top guy for the WBC Diamond belt is massive. I couldn’t be happier with the choice.
Winner of Eubank / Abraham vs. Yildirim:
Chris Eubank:
Avni is a come forward fighter. I don’t think he knows how to go back. He brings war, and that will make for a spectacular fight. Once my son gets past Arthur Abraham, he will do the same to Avni. Chris Eubank Jr is an upgraded version of me.
Avni Yildirim:
I am very happy to be here. Good luck to the winner of Eubank and Abraham because it is my time now.
Braehmer vs. Brant:
Juergen Braehmer:
Since I could not pick any opponent any more, I got the strongest guy. The others apparently avoided him. I look forward to the start of the tournament and I am curious to find out when and where the fight will take place.
Rob Brant:
There’s not an easy fight in this tournament. Whether it was the first person to pick or the last person they are all champions. I’m ready to do my best.
CRUISERWEIGHTS
Gassiev vs. Wlodarczyk:
Murat Gassiev
I want to say thank you for everyone who made this tournament. I’m very happy to be here. I’m fighting Krzysztof because he is my number one contender. He is a tough opponent and I’m sure we give boxing fans a great fight.
Krzysztof Wlodarczyk
I’m very happy because Gassiev is a good fighter and a tough guy. We will give people a good fight.
Oleksandr Usyk
I picked him for my fans.
Marco Huck
This is my wish opponent. People say he is really good – an Olympic and World Champion – but we will see when he gets in the ring with me.
Mairis Briedis
He is a great fighter from Cuba. He comes from heavyweight division and will give me a tough fight.
Mike Perez
It’s a great challenge. He’s a champion so I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be my first belt. I’m looking forward to the fight.
Yunier Dorticos
It’s going to be a great fight and something really interesting for the fans.
Dmitry Kudryashov
I’m happy with this opponent. It will be a good fight.
WORLD BOXING SUPER SERIES AT A GLANCE
- Participants confirmed: 16 of 16
- Number of belts: 7
- Number of world champions: 5
- Number of former world champions: 3
- Number of undefeated fighters: 9
- Combined Record of participants: 398 wins, 16 losses, 275 KOs (not counting Eubank/Abraham)
- Confirmed Cruiserweights (8 of 8)
- Oleksandr Usyk (12-0, 10 KOs), WBO World Champion
- Yunier Dorticos (21-0, 20 KOs), WBA World Champion
- Murat Gassiev (24-0, 17 KOs), IBF World Champion
- Mairis Briedis (22-0, 18 KOs), WBC World Champion
- Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (53-3-1, 37 KOs), former IBF / WBC World Champion & IBF top-ranked challenger
- Marco Huck (40-4-1, 27 KOs), former WBO World Champion
- Dmitry Kudryashov (21-1, 21 KOs)
- Mike Perez (22-2-1, 14 KOs)
- Confirmed Super-Middleweights (8 of 8)
- George Groves (26-3, 19 KOs), WBA Super Champion
- Juergen Braehmer (48-3, 35 KOs), former WBA & WBO Champion
- Erik Skoglund (26-0, 12 KOs)
- Jamie Cox (23-0, 13 KOs)
- Callum Smith (22-0, 17 KOs)
- Rob Brant (22-0, 15 KOs)
- Avni Yildirim (16-0, 10 KOs)
- Winner of Eubank (24-1, 19 KOs) vs. Abraham (46-5, 30 KOs)
ABOUT THE WORLD BOXING SUPER SERIES
Organised by Comosa AG, the World Boxing Super Series will kick off in September 2017, featuring the Cruiserweight and Super Middleweight divisions. In each weight class, eight elite boxers will battle it out in a bracket-style elimination tournament, with four quarter-finals (fall 2017), two semi-finals (early 2018) and one final (May 2018). This makes for seven top fights per weight class, and a total of 14 fights in Season One to be staged in premier venues around the globe. The winners of the World Boxing Super Series will rightfully receive The Greatest Prize in Boxing, the Muhammad Ali Trophy. Please visit our website www.WorldBoxingSuperSeries.com for more information or follow @WBSuperSeries on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
