Cruise Control

Usyk dominates Gassiev to become the undisputed cruiser king and the first WBSS champ, writes Elliot Worsell

- Elliot Worsell

FAR from the classic brawl we anticipated, the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) cruiserweight final between Oleksandr Usyk and Murat Gassiev instead ended up being one of the most one-sided fights between elite boxers you’re likely to see in 2018.

Thirty-one-year-old Usyk, a narrow favourite, dominated every aspect of the fight in Moscow, Russia, barely put a foot wrong for 12 rounds, and was rewarded for this perfection with a 120108, 119-109 and 119-109 decision on the judges’ scorecards, as well as the Muhammad Ali trophy (awarded to the WBSS tournament winner) and the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO cruiserweight titles, two of which, the WBA and IBF, previously belonged to Gassiev, 24.

The fact that fans were deprived of the war they expected but came away feeling satisfied is no doubt a testament to Usyk’s performance. His mastery, the work produced on the face and body of Gassiev, stifled any chance of chaos yet simultaneously left those starved of chaos – the bloodthirsty – slack-jawed in amazement, wondering not only why we ever deemed this fight, on paper, to be competitive but also now considering Usyk’s chances of doing the same to a number of heavyweights. There is talk, for example, of him moving up and dethroning WBA, IBF and WBO champion Anthony Joshua, a powerhouse very A-B-C in his approach, and perhaps doing the same to WBC champion Deontay Wilder, a reckless gunslinger with as many technical flaws as knockouts.

Usyk, meanwhile, seems to have Tony Bellew, a cruiserweight-cum-heavyweight who has never lost at cruiserweight, in his immediate sights.

“I have heard that Tony Bellew wants to fight the winner of the Muhammad Ali trophy,” Usyk said post-fight. “I hope he will see me talking. ‘Hey, Tony Bellew, are you ready?’

“If he doesn’t want to go down, I will go up for him. I will eat more spaghetti for my dinner!”