Cuba’s Yuniel Dorticos (24-1, 22 KOs) and Latvia’s Mairis Briedis (26-1, 19 KOs) will compete for the Ali Trophy in the cruiserweight final of the World Boxing Super Series on March 21, 2020, at Briedis' home venue, the Arena Riga in Riga, Latvia. [Dorticos will be defending his IBF championship. Briedis chose this fight and vacated the WBO title after his controversial win over Krzysztof Glowacki in the semi-finals led to the WBO ordering an immediate rematch. Briedis declined the rematch]. “The conclusion of Season 2 of the WBSS is going to be nothing but spectacular,” said Kalle Sauerland, Chief Boxing Officer of the WBSS. “After two epic Ali Trophy finals – Regis Prograis vs Josh Taylor and Naoya Inoue vs Nonito Donaire – it's time to crown the cruiserweight champion of the WBSS. As we have become accustomed, whoever raises the Muhammad Ali Trophy at the end will become the man to beat in the division."

 

Mairis Briedis and Yuniel Dorticos have exchanged Season 1 semi-final exits with the opportunity to enter an exclusive club of boxers who have won the Ali Trophy. Briedis beat Noel Mikaelian on points in his quarter-final and stopped Krzysztof Glowacki via TKO in the third round of a dramatic semi-final. Dorticos took a similar route with a points victory over Mateusz Masternak and a 10th round knockout of Andrew Tabiti – a KO that earned the 'Knockout of the Year' prize across multiple media.

 

“I’m really looking forward to the final,” said Briedis, the tournament No. 1 seed. “It is fantastic for Latvia to be able to host an event of such magnitude. Millions and millions of eyes worldwide will be watching what’s happening at the Arena Riga on fight night.

 

“It is going to be a thrilling fight as I’m facing one of the very best cruiserweights on the planet. The stake is so high and both of us are only looking for one thing - to win it all!”

 

Miami-based Dorticos, aptly nicknamed 'KO Doctor’ for his devastating punching power, is confident of going all the way and take home the greatest prize in boxing.

 

“Briedis, you better prepare yourself for war,” said Dorticos, the IBF champion and tournament #2 seed. “Let’s give all the fans around the world a spectacular all-time classic. Come fight night you will know why I’m called the ‘KO Doctor’. The Muhammad Ali Trophy has my name engraved already!”

 

Tickets for the Briedis-Dorticos WBSS Cruiserweight Ali Trophy final at the Arena Riga will go on sale soon. Fans are encouraged to sign-up for Ticket Alerts here. The final will be broadcast live on DAZN in the U.S. Fans can visit DAZN.com or download the DAZN app to their preferred connected device.

 

Muhammad Ali Trophy champions:

2018-19: Naoya Inoue, Bantamweight

2018-19: Josh Taylor, Junior welterweight

2017-18: Aleksandr Usyk, Cruiserweight

2017-18: Callum Smith, Super middleweight