SOCHI: Russia’s Murat Gassiev knocked out Cuba’s Yunier Dorticos in the last 17 seconds of the final round to score a victory and unify the IBF and WBA cruiserweight titles.
Murat Gassiev stops Yunier Dorticos in the 12th round of a fantastic fight. The WBSS cruiserweight semifinals were incredible. pic.twitter.com/GD6iAScG8l
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) February 3, 2018
The victory early on February 4 at Sochi’s Bolshoi Ice Dome means that Gassiev will qualify for the World Boxing Superseries final against Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk on May 11 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Usyk, who has a record of 14-0 with 11 knockouts, holds the WBO and WBC titles.
With the victory, the 24-year-old Gassiev’s record improved to 26-0, with 19 knockouts.
It was the first professional loss for the 31-year-old Cuban fighter after 22 wins, including 21 knockouts.
The finalists have their first face-off ahead of the big fight on 11th May! ? ? ?#GassievDorticos ? #AliTrophy pic.twitter.com/ysiN0lXc54
— World Boxing Super Series (@WBSuperSeries) February 3, 2018
