Super Channel acquired exclusive rights in Canada to air the entire WBSS tournament from MP & Silva, 'n vooraanstaande internasionale media maatskappy wat media regte bied, digitale, tegnologie en borgskap dienste.
“We are thrilled that the WBSS is returning to Super Channel for exclusive Canadian coverage of the highly anticipated semifinals,” gesê Troy Wassill, Director of Programming, Domestic Distributors and Sports. “I have no doubt that every single bout is going to deliver exciting, must-see action for boxing fans, as these world-class fighters compete to see who is going to go head-to-head for the coveted Muhammad Ali Trophy.”
WBSSis a 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 & Vermaak, 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.
The first of its kind tournament, which is planned to take place on an annual basis, kicked off this past September with quarterfinals competition in two divisions, cruiserweight and super middleweight. 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. The winners of the two semifinals will advance to the championship round in both divisions this May.
Below find the WBSS semifinals schedule and a preview of the four matches and eight fighters who survived the quarterfinals:
World Boxing Super Series halfeindronde BYLAE
CRUISERWEIGHTS
Januarie 27, Riga Arena, Riga, Letland – WBO / WBC Unification
Oleksandr “die Kat” Usyk (13-0, 11 Uitklophoue), WBO World Champion, Oekraïne – Ring #1
vs.
Mairis Deer (23-0, 18 Uitklophoue), WBC wêreldkampioen, Letland – Ring #3
Februarie 3, Bolshoy Ice Dome, Sochi, Rusland – IBF/WBA Unificatiion
Murat “Yster” Gassiev (25-0, 18 Uitklophoue), IBF Wêreld Kampioen, Rusland –
Ring #2
vs.
Yunier “Die KO Doctor” Dorticós (21-0, 20 Uitklophoue), WBA World
Kampioen, Kuba – Ring #5
SUPER middleweights
Februarie 17, Manchester, Arena, Manchester, Verenigde Koninkryk – WBA / IBO Unification
“Saint” George Groves (27-3, 20 Uitklophoue), WBA wêreldkampioen, Verenigde Koninkryk – Ring #2
vs.
Chris “volgende Gen” Eubank Jr. (26-1, 20 Uitklophoue), IBO wêreldkampioen, Verenigde Koninkryk – Ring #4
Februarie 24, Arena Nürnberger Versekering, Neurenberg, Duitsland
Juergen Braehmer (49-3 35 Uitklophoue), Duitsland – Ring #10
(voormalige WBO & WBA lig swaargewig-wêreldkampioen)
vs.
Callum “wêreld” Smith (23-0, 17 Uitklophoue), Verenigde Koninkryk – Ring #3
(WBC Diamond Super Middelgewig Kampioen)
(picture courtesy of World Boxing Super Series)The two winners in the cruiserweight semifinals will become the first unified world cruiserweight champion since Evander Holyfield in 1987. The eventual WBSS cruiserweight world champion will become the first ever to hold all four major sanctioning body titles – WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO — op dieselfde tyd.
The four cruiserweight semifinalists, who represent four different countries, have a combined record of 83-0 met 68 uitklophoue. They are also the top three and fifth-highest ranked cruiserweights in the world by Die Ring magazine’s independent ratings.
CRUISERWEIGHT SEMIFINALISTS
OLEKSANDR USYK: Captured the WBO cruiserweight world title January 17, 2016, by way of a 12-round unanimous decision over undefeated, verdedigende kampioen Krzysztof Glowacki (26-0).
WBSS: In his third WBO title defense, he stopped former two-time WBO world champion Marco Huck (40-4-1) in die 11ste ronde.
Nota: 2-time Ukraine Olympian…. 2012 Olympics and 2011 World Championship gold medalist….twice defeated current IBF light heavyweight world champion Artur Beterbiev – Russia-native now fighting out of Montreal — in die 2012 Olympics and 2011 World Championships.
World Title Fight Record: 4-0 (2 Uitklophoue)
Record vs. current or former world champions: 2-0 (1), defeated Glowacki and Huck
MAIRIS BRIEDIS: He became WBC world cruiserweight champion April 1, 2017, taking a 12-round unanimous decision from Huck.
WBSS: Won a 12-round unanimous decision from Mike Perez (22-2-1) in his first title defense.
Nota: Former professional kickboxer…..also the reigning IBA world cruiserweight champion.
World Title Fight Record: 2-0 (0 Uitklophoue)
Record vs. current or former world champions: 2-0 (1 KO), defeated Huck & Manuel Charr
MURAT GASSIEV: Won a 12-round split decision December 3, 2016 against three-time world cruiserweight champion Denis Lebedev (29-1) to capture the IBF title.
WBSS: Knocked out former 2-time world cruiserweight champion Krsysztof Wlodarczysk (53-3-1) in the third round of his first title defense.
Nota: Now lives in Big Bear, Kalifornië, which is known for its rugged training center in the mountains.
World Title Fight Record: 2-0 (1 KO)
Record vs. current or former world champions: 2-0 (1 KO), defeated Lebedev & Wlodarczysk
Yunis Dorticós: Knocked out interim WBA cruiserweight Yuri Kalenga (22-2) Mei 20, 2016 in die 10ste round and later upgraded to “gereelde” WBA wêreldkampioen.
WBSS: Stopped Dmitri balachandhran (21-1) in the second round of his first world title defense.
Nota: Defected to the USA from Cuba, where he was a member of the famed Cuban National Team, and he lives and trains in Miami, Florida.
World Title Fight Record: 2-0 (2 Uitklophoue)*
Record vs. current or former world champions: 1-0 (1 KO)*, defeated Kalenga
*includes interim WBA title fight
The super middleweight semifinal round is like a Battle of Britain with three Brits – George Groves,Chris Eubank, Jr. en Callum Smith – and German Juergen Braehmer. All four are ranked among Die Ring magazine’s top 10.
SUPER MIDDELEWEIGHT SEMIFINALISTS
GEORGE GROVES: Knocked out defending world champion Fedor Chudinov (14-1) Mei 27, 2017 in the sixth round to capture the WBA super middleweight world title.
WBSS: Stopped previously undefeated Jaime Cox in die vierde ronde.
Nota: All three of his career pro losses have been to world champions Carl Froch twee keer en Badou Jack.
World Title Fight Record: 2-3 (2 Uitklophoue)
Record vs. current or former world champions: 3-3 (1 KO), verslaan
James DeGale, Glen Johnson & Chudinov.
CHRIS EUBANK, JR.: Crowned IBO super middleweight champ February 4, 2017, toe hy uitgeslaan Renold Quinlan (11-1) in die 10ste ronde, and successfully defended his title July 15, 2017 with a 12-round unanimous decision win over 3-time, 2-afdeling wêreldkampioen Arthur Abraham (46-5).
WBSS: Defended his IBO belt with a third-round knockout of Avni Yildirim (16-0).
Nota: The son of 2-time, 2-division world champion Chris Eubank, who manages his son’s career.
World Title Fight Record: 3-0 (2 Uitklophoue)*
Record vs. current or former world champions: 1-0 (0 Uitklophoue), defeated Abraham.
*sluit 3 IBO world title fights
JUERGEN BRAEHMER: Former WBA and WBO light heavyweight champion of the world who dropped down one weight class for the WBSS tournament.
WBSS: Won a 12-round unanimous decision from previously unbeaten American Rob Brant(22-0).
Nota: Hadn’t fought as a super middleweight in 10-years prior to the WBSS quarterfinals…30-1 (24 Uitklophoue) as a super middleweight and he avenged his lone loss…. two other career losses were to world champions Hugo Hernan Garay en Nathan Slim….by 39 the oldest WBSS semifinalist.
World Title Fight Record: 9-1 (6 Uitklophoue)*
Record vs. current or former world champions: 2-2 (0 Uitklophoue), verslaan Javier Velasquez &Enzo Maccarinelli
CALLUM SMITH: The least tested WBSS semifinalist in terms of having faced quality opponents, in addition to being the youngest WBSS semifinalist at the age of 27.
WBSS: Took a 12-round unanimous decision from previously undefeated Erik Sjoglund (26-0).
Nota: Has three brothers who are also pro boxers: Paul, Stephen and Liam….the holder of numerous regional titles including WBC International, Silver and Diamond, as well as European super middleweight champion.
World Title Fight Record: 0-0
Record vs. current or former world champions: 0-0
All WBSS fights will also be available on Super Channel On Demand.
In addition to the WSBB quarterfinals, Super Channel uitgesaai groot boks gebeure leef in 2017 soos Brook vs. Spence Jr., Pacquiao-Horn, Eubank, Jr. vs. Abraham, Lomachenko vs.Marriaga and Crawford vs. Indongo.
Om al die World Boxing Super Series aksie live kyk, sowel as meer opwindende boks te kom, veg ondersteuners in Kanada kan kontak hul plaaslike kabel diensverskaffer in te skryf vir Super Channel en alles wat dit bied, insluitend premium reeks, films en nog baie meer, vir so laag as $9.95 per maand.
