WBSS Cruiserweight final to be shown LIVE on Sky Sports in the UK
UK fight fans can look forward to watching the conclusion of another World Boxing Super Series tournament after the WBSS partnered with Matchroom Boxing and Sky Sports to exclusively broadcast the massive Mairis Briedis vs Yuniel Dorticos Ali Trophy showdown later this month.
Sky Sports, the UK’s premier sports broadcaster, includes the world’s premier boxing tournament’s Season 2 conclusion to its schedule with the cruiserweight final between Latvia’s Mairis Briedis and Cuba’s IBF World champion Yuniel ‘The KO Doctor’ Dorticos on March 21 at the Arena Riga, Latvia.
Previous Season 2 finals shown on Sky Sports – Naoya Inoue vs Nonito Donaire and Regis Prograis vs Josh Taylor – were consensus Fight of the Year 2019 and FOTY contender respectively.
“The WBSS is thrilled to continue our work with Matchroom Boxing and Sky Sports to bring our sensational cruiserweight final to as many UK fans as possible,” said Kalle Sauerland, WBSS Chief Boxing Officer.
“In this final, we present the two greatest cruiserweights on the planet. The two best sportsmen of the division. Both two-time world champions. We, the WBSS, are so proud to showcase these athletes fighting for a trophy in the name of Muhammad Ali, the greatest of the sport. This match-up contains all the ingredients to become an absolute barnstormer and another WBSS Fight of the Year-contender.”
Adam Smith, Sky Sports’ head of boxing development, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that the World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight final is live on Sky Sports as Mairis Briedis and Yuniel Dorticos should provide an explosive showdown in Riga.
“The WBSS has already created classic finals – Josh Taylor’s titanic clash with Regis Prograis and Naoya Inoue’s breathtaking battle with Nonito Donaire. Two fight of the year contenders in 2019!
“Briedis and Dorticos will be eager to deliver another fabulous final as we add another exciting fight night to our Sky Sports schedule.”
“I’m delighted to be working with the World Boxing Super Series again to air the highly-anticipated Cruiserweight Ali Trophy final between Mairis Briedis and Yuniel Dorticos live on Sky Sports,” said Eddie Hearn, Promotor of Matchroom Boxing. “We’ve aired two Fight of the Year contenders in Regis Prograis vs Josh Taylor at The O2 and Naoya Inoue vs Nonito Donaire in Japan and we expect this one to be another cracking fight for the UK fight fans.”
Tickets for the incredible Mairis Briedis vs Yuniel Dorticos Ali Trophy showdown on March 21 are on sale from €29 via bilesuserviss.lv.
On the line in Riga:
The Cruiserweight Muhammad Ali Trophy and IBF & Ring Magazine World titles.
The road to Riga:
Mairis Briedis and Yuniel Dorticos took parallel routes to the cruiserweight final of the WBSS. Briedis beat Noel Mikaelian on points in his quarter-final in Chicago and stopped Krzysztof Glowacki in Riga via TKO in the third round of a dramatic semi-final. Dorticos claimed a points victory over Mateusz Masternak in Chicago and a 10th round knockout of Andrew Tabiti in Riga – a KO that earned the ‘KO Doctor’ the ‘Knockout of the Year’ prize across multiple media.
Muhammad Ali Trophy champions:
2018-19: Naoya Inoue, Bantamweight
2018-19: Josh Taylor, Super-Lightweight
2017-18: Aleksandr Usyk, Cruiserweight
2017-18: Callum Smith, Super Middleweight
