After touching down in Riga, Latvia with his Muhammad Ali Trophy, newly minted IBF cruiserweight champion Mairis Briedis took the trophy to The Freedom Monument, a symbol of freedom and independence, and the focal point of public gatherings and official ceremonies in Riga. Under normal circumstances, Briedis would have been met by a large crowd to celebrate his historic achievement. Nonetheless, an emotional Briedis talked about his World Boxing Super Series journey and a possible move to heavyweight after conquering Yuniel Dorticos in Saturday’s Season II final. “It feels fantastic to have won the Muhammad Ali Trophy, it feels like a dream,” said Briedis. “Me, my team, my family have been waiting for such a long time for the trophy. Thank God we did it, and I am really happy about it.”
Briedis' only career defeat came in season I, after a hard-fought battle with Oleksandr Usyk with official scores of 114-114 and 115-113 (twice) for Usyk, the future tournament winner and undisputed world cruiserweight champion. “I was down after the Usyk-fight,” said Briedis. Usyk was better that night, and it is what it is. But looking back I can see that a lot of things around me and in my team have changed. And everything has gone better since that fight. I really don’t know if I would have won that night if my career would have advanced the way it has.”
Saturday in Munich, Briedis redeemed himself, won the trophy on scores of 114-114 and 117-111 (twice), and looked like the fighter who took Usyk to the limit in 2018. “In the first rounds I felt how dangerous Dorticos is, but I got used to his style, and in the later rounds we didn’t risk too much, we just boxed what we had prepared. I’m very satisfied with my performance.”
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the final for the coveted tournament trophy took place behind closed doors at Plazamedia Studios in Munich, not in a filled, noisy arena as the Latvian sports hero is used to. “I hope I produced a fight for the Latvian fans to be proud of me. The fans couldn’t be at the arena, but at least through TV I hopefully brought them emotions. It's a shame I could not share my feelings with my fans and with the people who believed in me, who prayed for me and who sent me very energetic and strong messages. But it feels amazing to show the fans that the trophy is finally in Riga after such a long journey.”
In addition to the Muhammad Ali Trophy, Briedis is now a three-time champion after picking up the IBF title. Briedis has now gone 4-0, including three decisions and one TKO, since that close loss to Usyk, the former cruiserweight ruler, who has moved north to heavyweight.
“I am considering a move to heavyweight,” said Briedis. “But right now I will rest a bit before I make any decisions.”
Mairis Briedis is the fifth winner of the Muhammad Ali Trophy, and the Latvian joins a group of elite boxers who have won the revolutionary bracket-style elimination tournament: Oleksandr Usyk, Callum Smith, Josh Taylor, Naoya Inoue, and Mairis Briedis are forever linked to Greatest of all Time.
Muhammad Ali Trophy winners:
Season II: Josh Taylor (Super-Lightweight), Naoya Inoue (Bantamweight), Mairis Briedis (Cruiserweight)
Season I: Aleksandr Usyk (Cruiserweight), Callum Smith (Super Middleweight)
