Ukraine’s WBO Unified Jr. Heavyweight Champion Aleksandr Usyk and Russia’s Murat Gassiev exchanged words of respect at the final pre-fight press conference ahead of Saturday’s Ali Trophy Final at the Olimpiyskiy Sports Complex, Moscow.

“I am looking forward to the final,” said Ukrainian Usyk. “When I was in Sochi and watched the semi-final between Gassiev and Dorticos, I met a lot of people who said they support Murat, but that they respect me.”

“It does not matter which city, which country my opponent is from and I am not worried about fighting in Moscow. For me, it’s normal to fight abroad.”

“This fight has the attention of fans all over the world,” said Gassiev. “We are going to make history and will make a beautiful fight.”

“I don’t think I have an advantage fighting in Russia, because I know Usyk has many fans here too. I respect my opponent, and I don’t pay attention to where he comes from.”

Abel Sanchez, Gassiev’s coach said: “This is a fight between two of the best fighters in the world. We are going to have to raise our level to beat this guy.”

Kalle Sauerland, Comosa’s Chief Boxing Officer, said: “We look forward to an absolutely incredible fight week. World Boxing Super Series represents the champions league of boxing and on Saturday we will crown our first champion.”

“We are looking forward to seeing a fight between two unbelievable gladiators. This is the fight of the year, make no mistake.”

“Thank you very much to everyone involved, but most of all thanks to the fighters who are putting everything on the line on Saturday. It is going to be a sensational fight.”

The Ali Trophy Jr. Heavyweight final is guaranteed to produce fireworks and the winner of Usyk-Gassiev will be the first boxer ever to win the Muhammad Ali Trophy and unify the cruiserweight titles in the four belt era.

The belts on the line will be the WBO, WBC, IBF and WBA Super and RING Magazine’s vacant cruiserweight championship strap.

Undefeated WBC and WBO World Title Holder Oleksandr Usyk set to Battle Undefeated IBF and WBA Champion Murat Gassiev for the Unification of the Four Jr. Heavyweight Belts Live and Exclusively on KlowdTV

SAN DIEGO, CALIF. – July 17, 2018 – On Saturday afternoon, July 21st, the world’s best and undefeated cruiserweights, Oleksandr Uysk and Murat Gassiev, will battle for four world titles and the bragging rights to be crowned the undisputed World Jr. Heavyweight Champ. Both fighters possess perfect undefeated records, tremendous explosive power, and with the winner taking all the major recognized belts, this is the must-watch battle of the year. This amazing showdown featuring Usyk v Gassiev for the undisputed Jr. Heavyweight championship and will air live and exclusively on KlowdTV in the United States.

The bout will take place in Moscow, Russia beginning at 3 PM ET. “We are very proud to be able to bring this outstanding fight to KlowdTV,” said Robert Herring Sr., CEO of KlowdTV. “I know how much interest there is in this fight from all the interest on boxing sites and social media. The fans have been clamoring for the fight to find a United States home, and KlowdTV is once again stepping up to answer the call of US boxing fans.”

Usyk (14-0, 11 KOs) of Kiev, Ukraine is WBC and WBO Jr. Heavyweight world champion.
The 2012 Olympic Gold Medal winner won the WBO world title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Krzysztof Glowacki on September 17, 2016 in Poland. Usyk defended the title twice with a 9th round stoppage over Thabiso Mchunu and a 12-round unanimous decision over Michael Hunter.

Usyk scored a 10th round stoppage over former world champion Marco Huck. In his latest bout, Usyk captured the WBC World Cruiserweight title with a majority decision over Mairis Briedis on January 27th in Latvia.

Gassiev (26-0, 19 KOs) of Russia, is the IBF and WBA Super Cruiserweight champion.
Gassiev now trains in Big Bear, California under famed trainer Abel Sanchez. The 24-year-old Gassiev won IBF championship on December 3, 2016 with a 12-round unanimous decision over Denis Lebedev.

Gassiev registered a 3rd round destruction of former world champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk. In his last bout, Gassiev won the WBA World Super Cruiserweight title with a 12th round stoppage over previously undefeated Yunier Dorticos on February 3, 2018.

KlowdTV is your 24/7 live streaming service, featuring over 30 live channels plus 50 music channels. The fight is free to KlowdTV subscribers. New subscribers can enjoy the fight for the $9.99/month subscription fee, which includes numerous live channels including Fight Network, GolTV, FNTSY Sports Network, Pursuit Channel, Sony Movie Channel and more. Simply visit www.klowdtv.com to enjoy this “can’t-miss” fight and 30 days of KlowdTV for just $9.99 per month. KlowdTV can be accessed on any device that includes Smart TV’s, computers, ROKU, Amazon, Android and iOS phones and tablets.

Press Release: Ukraine’s WBO/WBC Jr. Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, is looking forward to the historic Ali Trophy Final against WBA/IBF champion Murat Gassiev on July 21st in Moscow, Russia, Gassiev’s home country. The 31-year-old Usyk (14-0 with 11 KOs plus additional World Series of Boxing pro bouts) won the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics and has prepared for Gassiev at the Olympic Village in Kiev.

Here is a question-and-answer session with him.

Q: How are you feeling with the big final approaching?

A; “I’m fine. I have a family, I have close friends, I have a great job. What else can a person dream of? I feel great!”

Q: How do you remember your semi-final victory over Mairis Briedis to win the WBC title?

A: “I don’t live in the past. I try to move forward. My victory over Mairis happened on the 27th of January. Of course, I have good memories, I got another belt and reached the final, but now we have a new stage.”

Q: You were watching Murat’s semi-final against Yunier Dorticos live in Sochi, Russia. What was your impression?

A: “The fight was perfect, two great guys who found out who is the strongest.”

Q: What kind of fighter is Murat?

A: “You can watch on YouTube … I will only say this: he is a strong guy. And now, thank God, Murat and I will fight for the Muhammad Ali Trophy and the ‘absolute world champion’ title.

Q: How would you characterize the training camp?

A: “I get up at 4:50 a.m. every morning and set myself on fire. To rebuild, you have to burn yourself, so I have been burning! I enjoy the hard training, I love the pressure, can you believe it? Maybe I am a little bit crazy.”

Q: How have you been sparring?

A: “We tried to find someone who has the same style as Murat. It is important. When they do the same work as Murat does, it will help me to train the particular combinations to use against him.”

Q: How is your training facility?

A; “Is it a perfect gym. I spent a lot of time there before the Olympics. I have lived and trained there for many years. It is a base where it smells like sports spirit. It smells like work.”

Q: What is the most important in your training?

A: “Discipline. One of the most important components a fighter needs in order to achieve the highest success is discipline. Discipline beats everything.”

Q: How is it for you to fight in Russia?

A: “Do I look like I am afraid to fight anywhere? I feel excellent about it. I am an athlete, a warrior. I do not care where I fight, I just want to fight.”

Q: How about your fans …?

“I know there will be support coming in from Ukraine which is great.“

Q: How is the mood in the team before going to Moscow?

A: “I am ready, my team is ready. We are all going to Moscow in good mood.”

Q: What can the fight fans all over the world expect from the final?

A: “When the strong guys meet, the fights are interesting! This is what is so great about this tournament. It is necessary for the sport. I have said it before and I will say it again: the fans should expect a beautiful final!”

The winner of Usyk-Gassiev on July 21 at the Olympic Sports Complex in Moscow will be the first boxer ever to win the Muhammad Ali Trophy and unify the cruiserweight titles in the four belt era.

http://www.boxingtalk.com/pag/article.php?aid=35419

WBSS Final Usyk vs. Gassiev a Hot Ticket in Moscow

The final bout of the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) cruiserweight tournament is a very hot ticket.

The contest takes place on July 21 at the Olympic Stadium in Moscow, Russia.

In the final bout, unbeaten world champions Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine and Murat Gassiev of Russia will collide for the WBA, WBO, IBF, WBC world titles.

Initially, the fight was scheduled to take place on May 11 and was due to happen in Saudi Arabia, but the event was postponed because of an injury to the Ukrainian boxer.

“I was ready to fight with Usyk anywhere in the world,” Gassiev said. “I’m confident that our fight will turn out great. The winner will get everything.”

Usyk is not worried about taking the fight in Gassiev’s backyard. He captured both of his titles, the WBO and WBC, by beating the champions on their home soil.

“Once again I’m going to fight in the territory of my opponent,” Usyk said. “I successfully coped with this in the quarter-finals and in the semifinals. Now I’m going to win in Moscow. ”

In the quarter finals of the Super Series, Usyk defeated traveled over to Germany to stop former world champion Marco Huck by technical knockout in a match was held in Berlin, and in the semi-finals the Ukrainian boxer won a unanimous decision over undefeated Latvian Maris Briedis in a bout that took place before a hot crowd in Riga.

Gassiev is the world champion under the versions of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and the World Boxing Association (WBA). His fearsome record includes 26 wins (19 – by knockout) and no defeats. And as far as Usyk, he’s holding the world titles of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and the World Boxing Council (WBC) and has clean record of 14 wins (11 – by knockout), no defeats.

Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org.

https://www.boxingscene.com/usyk-vs-gassiev-hot-ticket-moscow-7000-sold-first-day–129602

WBO Unified Jr. Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk, and the WBA and IBF Champion, Russian boxer Murat Gassiev will contest the final of the Super World Series of Boxing.

The fight between Usyk (14-0, 11 КОs) and Gassiev (26-0, 19 КОs) will be held on July 21 in Moscow at the Olympic Stadium Sports Complex, confirmed The President of the Russian Boxing Federation Umar Kremlev.

Previously, the Ukrainian boxer Usyk said he was willing to fight Murat Gassiev anywhere in the world.

Usyk and Gassiev were fighting on May 11, but the fight was postponed due to an injury suffered by the Ukrainian boxer.