Mairis Briedis vs Yuniel Dorticos set for WBSS final in Latvia, March 21

It’s official. The World Boxing Super Series has scheduled its cruiserweight tournament championship match between finalists Mairis Briedis and Yuniel Dorticos. The Muhammad Ali trophy will be up for grabs on March 21st, in Latvia, along with Dorticos’ IBF world title.

Briedis’ WBO cruiserweight title might’ve otherwise been on the line too, in a world title unification, but that belt was stripped from Briedis for not following through on a WBO ordered rematch with his semifinal contestant, Krzysztof Glowacki. That chaotic semifinal bout ended with a controversial Briedis win, but upon review the WBO wanted a mulligan.

That, however, posed a conflict with the WBSS tournament, as Briedis obviously couldn’t move on to the tournament final and rematch Glowacki at the same time. Ultimately Briedis decided to move forward in the tournament, costing him that belt.

But with his focus now squarely on this fight against Dorticos, Briedis says:

“I’m really looking forward to the final,” said Briedis. “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 stakes are so high and both of us are only looking for one thing - to win it all!”

Dorticos himself would promise the fans a war, saying that if Briedis really comes to fight he’ll learn why they call him the ‘KO Doctor.’