Preview: Mairis Breidis vs Yuniel Dorticos | World Boxing Super Series Cruiserweight Final

Mairis Briedis will take on Yuniel Dorticos in Germany on Saturday night live on Sky Sports competing for the Muhammad Ali Trophy

The World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight final between Mairis Breidis (26-1 19KOS) and Yuniel Dorticos (24-1 22KOS) will take place on Saturday night for the Muhammad Ali trophy with both fighters also fighting for the IBF and vacant Ring Magazine belts and a place in world glory.

As the fight has been rescheduled to meet the demands of the ongoing pandemic, The World Boxing Super Series Season II Cruiserweight Final will be held on 25 September in a television studio under Covid-19 rules and with no spectators at Plazamedia Broadcasting Center, a leading live sports production house in Munich.

Both men have suffered just one defeat in their professional careers, with Latvian Brieidis' only defeat coming to Oleksandr Usyk back in 2018, while Dorticos' only loss came against Murat Gassiev being stopped in the championship round.

Global Boxing News Editor Ben Davies previewed the WBSS cruiserweight final:

Crusierweight stars Briedis and Dorticos will take to battle to win the much coveted Muhammad Ali Trophy in Saturday night, with both fighters possessing an exemplary professional record, and with an IBF and Ring Magazine strap at stake, raises the motivation for both men even further.

The Lativan cruiserweight poses just one loss on his professional career against Oleksandr Usyk and is largely considered as one of the top fighters in the cruiserweight division, and is currently on a three fight win streak which includes a convincing victory over Krzysztof Glowacki back in 2019 winning via a third round stoppage. He was extremely unlucky against Usyk in their previous bout and appeared to cope extremely well with the southpaw stance and power of the Ukranian despite being defeated, so posesses an extremely talented skillset that will sure to be displayed on Saturday night.

Trained by Dmitrijs Šiholajs, Briedis has an extremely motivated team working with him to succeed, who have been encouraged by bold statements from the opposition camp dating back to when the fight was previously scheduled before the pandemic. The 6'1 fighter out of Riga, Latvia will more than likely not be dropped against Dorticos, posessing a superb guard and range of punches. He also has the ability to mix up his style, often showing explosive power to chase a stoppage such as during his superb win against Simon Valilly back in 2016, but is also capable of boxing more reserved and tactically using the jab while controlling the rounds with more aggressive periods in the contest. 

The 35-year-old will no doubt be tested in the WBSS final, but will be sure to try and nullify the threat of his opponent 'The KO Doctor' who is well known to chase an end to each of his cruiserweight contest, and will look to no doubt keep the fight at a distance and use his vast experience to remain ahead on the scorecards, should the fight go the distance. He will also look to impose his experience boxing in familiar surroundings in Munich where he once sparred and trained and believes that he can show the world why he is number one contender and slight favourite to take the fight away from Dorticos.

"I love the fact that it will be in Munich as it reminds me of every time I went to train with the Klitschko brothers in Germany and the flights were always via Munich. Those are some great memories of the time spent with them there! Dorticos is a strong fighter, we are both going for victory so it should be an interesting fight."

His opponent 'The Ko Doctor' has shown that he has the skillset and desire to put on an excellent showing in the final against Briedis, and is highly confident of cementing a legacy and taking the fight to the Latvian from the first bell. Dorticos boasts just one defeat similarly to his opponent coming against Murat Gassiev were he was downed twice in the final round, which will be invaluable experience of going to the deep end against a more seasoned opponent on Saturday night.

Posessing a large amount of speed and power, Dorticos is well known for his ability to force a stoppage and has a superb kncokout ratio at cruiserweight, showing he is capable of late fireworks in his most recent meeting against Andrew Tabiti. He was also ahead on the judges scorecards displaying his ability to power through rounds, while picking up the IBF world title in the meantime to add to the already high stakes that will flair up in Munich to rule the division. Pace and power will be Dortico's plan on Saturday night but he may struggle against a strong and agressive opponent in Briedis, but has already shown his own aggression and stature, and will be looking to use his superior reach in order to try and come in close and take the fight into explosive combinations from early on. The IBF world champion will also try to nullify the counter punching and distance between the fighters, while frustrating the Latvian who has knwon to be deducted points throughout his previous fights.

Dorticos has spoke well before the fight, acting with an air of confidence and calm that he can seal the victory on Saturday, revealing that he wants to show why he is the number one cruiserweight and will not be bullied around the ring by a more experienced opponent.

“The trip went smoothly,” said ‘The KO Doctor’ at the Franz Josef Strauss Airport. “I am happy to have finally arrived I’m Munich, and I can’t wait for Saturday night to come. I can fight anywhere, and I loved every second of fighting all over the world, I’m very honoured and humbled to be fighting for the Muhammad Ali Trophy here in Munich. I’m going to dedicate it to his memory by winning it and go down in history."

The fight is a hugely anticipated clash around the globe, with the legacy and power of the Muhammad Ali trophy well known in the boxing community with the winner of the bout clearly solidfying their place as the top contender in the division, and ensuring they remain in the history books for years to come.

It will be a very even contest throughout, with the fight likely to go into the championship rounds due to both fighters excellent defence and a clash of styles, but Briedis will be looking to show why he is the slight favourite going into the war, due to a more rounded boxing style and superb pedigree and experience of fighting at a high level and surviving into the deeper rounds. 

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