Briedis-Dorticos WBSS Final Postponed Once Again
One of the top fights in boxing today will have to wait even longer to take place.
The World Boxing Super Series announced that the finals of the latest cruiserweight tournament, featuring Yuniel Dorticos and Mairis Briedis, has been postponed again. The bout, which was originally set for March 21, was moved to May 16 due to the coronavirus. Latvia, which will house the fight, is under a state of emergency.
“WBSS is monitoring the developing COVID-19 situation. Under the current circumstances, a feasible date for the WBSS Cruiserweight Final between Mairis Briedis and Yuniel Dorticos is out of reach,” the WBSS announced in a statement.
“Our top priority is to protect the health and safety of the boxers, fans, officials, and staff involved in the World Boxing Super Series. WBSS will inform further as the situation develops.”
Dorticos (24-1), lost the WBA Cruiserweight Title to Murat Gassiev during the 2018 WBSS tournament. That ended his unbeaten streak. He returned to action by beating Mateusz Masternak in the quarter-finals of this tournament. “The KO Doctor” then beat Andrew Tabiti via KO in June to advance to the finals.
After losing to Oleksandr Usyk in the finals of the 2018 tournament, Briedis (26-1) rebounded with a win over Brandon Deslaurier. Entering the latest tournament, “The Latvian Punisher” beat Noel Gevor in the quarter-finals via unanimous decision. He then took out Krzysztof Glowacki via TKO to make it to the finals.
The state of emergency is scheduled to take place until May. It is unknown if the WBSS will move the event or wait to see how Latvia responds to the pandemic.