Oleksandr Usyk (Ukraine) vs Mairis Briedis (Latvia) | UNIFICATION BOUT Boxing Highlights

💥 "The Cat" vs. "The Latvian Punisher" 💥 Witness the thrilling unification clash between WBO cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (13-0, 11 KOs) and WBC titleholder Mairis Briedis (23-0, 18 KOs) in the World Boxing Super Series semi-final!

📅 Date: January 27, 2018
🌍 Location: Arēna Rīga, Riga, Latvia
🏆 Titles: WBC and WBO Cruiserweight Championships

🥊 OLEKSANDR USYK, the undefeated Ukrainian southpaw known for his high work rate and technical prowess, entered the ring aiming to unify the cruiserweight division and secure his place in the WBSS final.

🥊 MAIRIS BRIEDIS, Latvia's unbeaten champion, renowned for his power and resilience, sought to defend his title on home soil and advance to the tournament's final.

🔥 The bout was a closely contested battle of skill and determination. The initial rounds saw both fighters exchanging blows, with Usyk utilizing his jab and movement, while Briedis landed the harder punches. An accidental headbutt in the third round caused a cut above Usyk's right eye. As the fight progressed, Usyk increased his activity, applying pressure and showcasing his stamina. Briedis remained dangerous, delivering significant head shots. After twelve intense rounds, the judges scored the fight 114–114, 115–113, and 115–113, awarding Usyk a majority decision victory and unifying the WBC and WBO titles.

Result: Usyk won via majority decision (MD) after 12 rounds.
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CompuBox Stats: Usyk landed 212 of 848 punches (25%), while Briedis connected on 195 of 579 (33.7%).
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🌟 This hard-fought victory advanced Usyk to the WBSS final, bringing him one step closer to becoming the undisputed cruiserweight champion.