2017–18 World Boxing Super Series – cruiserweight division

Date	9 September 2017
Venue	Max-Schmeling-Halle, Berlin, Germany
Title(s) on the line	Usyk's WBO cruiserweight title
Tale of the tape
Boxer Oleksandr Usyk Marco Huck Nickname The Cat Captain Hometown Simferopol, Ukraine Berlin, Germany Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Weight 199+1⁄2 lb (90.5 kg) 198+4⁄5 lb (90.2 kg)
Result
Usyk defeats Huck in the 10th round via TKO.[7]

In the inaugural match of the Super Series, top-seeded Oleksandr Usyk sought to defend his title against Marco Huck. At the weigh-in, Usyk hitting the scales at precisely 1991⁄2 lbs, while Huck weighed-in at 1983⁄4 lbs. The fight took place at Max-Schmeling-Halle and was announced by Jimmy Lennon Jr.[8] At the final press conference, a bit of controversy occurred during the head to head photo, where Huck pushed his opponent Usyk.[9]

The first Super Series quarter-final saw Usyk successfully retain his WBO title and advance to the semi-finals after the referee stepped in to stop the encounter and save Huck from further punishment.[10] The official time of the stoppage was 2:16 in round 10. Usyk had little trouble in the fight. Huck provided heart and toughness, showing he was certainly not a pushover but Usyk's boxing skills were too much, completely outboxing Huck and continuously landing punches. The win was Usyk's third successful title defense, and sees him advance to the next stage of the Super Series.[11]

The undercard was headlined by a bout between Noel Gevor and Isiah Thomas. Both fighters were coming off losses, but Gevor got the win via unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the fight 100–89 in favor of Gevor.[12]

Date	23 September 2017
Venue	Alamodome, San Antonio, United States
Title(s) on the line	Dorticos' WBA (Regular) cruiserweight title
Tale of the tape
Boxer Yuniel Dorticos Dmitry Kudryashov Nickname The KO Doctor The Russian Hammer Hometown Havana, Cuba Volgodonsk, Russia Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 6 ft 2+1⁄2 in (1.89 m) Weight 199 lb (90 kg) 200 lb (91 kg)
Result
Dorticos defeats Kudryashov in the 2nd round via KO.

The second Super Series cruiserweight quarterfinal featured Yuniel Dorticos defending his WBA (Regular) title against Dmitry Kudryashov. The bout generated some expectation, as Kudryashov and Dorticos were both known as knockout punchers, with 42 out of 43 of their combined previous fights ending by way of knockout.[13] This will be the Super Series' first match in the United States. A percentage of the gate revenue will be donated to the San Antonio Food Bank to aid victims of Hurricane Harvey.[14] At the official weigh-in, Dmitry Kudryashov initially missed weight by half a pound, coming in at 200 1⁄2 lbs. However, he was able to come in at exactly 200 lbs in a second try 45 minutes later. Dorticos weighed in at 199 lbs.[15]

On fight night, Dorticos retained his title and advanced to the semi-finals by knocking out Kudryashov in just 2 rounds. The fight started with a slow-paced, feel out round, with both boxers studying their opponent. Dorticos successfully executed a pull counter as the bell sounded. In round 2, the pace of the fight increased, with Dorticos and Kudryashov trading combinations. Eventually, Dorticos gained the upper hand by landing a series of one-two combos, as Kudryashov retreated behind his high guard. Dorticos ended the contest by knocking out Kudryashov with a right hook. The referee waived the count with a minute left in round 2.[16]

In the undercard, Keith Tapia won a wide unanimous decision over Lateef Kayode (100–89, 100–89, 99–90), having dropped him once at the end of round 6.[17] Earlier, four-weight world champion Nonito Donaire defeated Rubén García Hernández by unanimous decision (100–90, 99–91, 97–93) for the WBC Silver featherweight title.[18]

Date	30 September 2017
Venue	Arena Riga, Riga, Latvia
Title(s) on the line	Briedis' WBC cruiserweight title
Tale of the tape
Boxer Mairis Briedis Mike Perez Nickname   The Rebel Hometown Riga, Latvia Ciego de Ávila, Cuba Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Weight 198+1⁄2 lb (90.0 kg) 197+1⁄3 lb (89.5 kg)
Result
Briedis defeats Perez via UD (116–110, 114–112, 115–111)

Mairis Briedis defended his WBC cruiserweight title against Mike Perez in the third WBSS cruiserweight quarterfinal. This was Perez's second fight as a cruiserweight, after he came down from the heavyweight division following a TKO loss to Alexander Povetkin. The bout took place in Briedis' hometown of Riga, at the eponymous Arena Riga. At the official weigh-in, Briedis tipped the scales at 198 1⁄2 lbs, while Mike Perez came in lighter, at 197 1⁄3 lbs.[19]

Briedis won a scrappy fight in his hometown, beating Mike Perez by unanimous decision after 12 rounds (116–110, 114–112, 115–111). Perez was deducted a point in round 3 following an accidental headbutt. Briedis was also docked a point during round 10 for excessive holding. With the win, Briedis moves on to the semifinals to face top-seeded Oleksandr Usyk.[20]

The undercard saw tournament reserve Krzysztof Głowacki beat Leonardo Bruzesse via 5th-round knockout and super heavyweight Olympic medalist Filip Hrgović dominate and defeat Zumbano Love via TKO in the first round in his professional debut.

Date	21 October 2017
Venue	Prudential Center, Newark, U.S.
Title(s) on the line	Gassiev's IBF cruiserweight title
Tale of the tape
Boxer Murat Gassiev Krzysztof Włodarczyk Nickname Iron Diablo Hometown Vladikavkaz, Russia Warsaw, Poland Height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Weight 199 lb (90 kg) 199+1⁄2 lb (90.5 kg)
Result
Gassiev defeats Włodarczyk in the 3rd round via KO

The final cruiserweight quarterfinal match was between IBF champion Murat Gassiev and former IBF and WBC champion Krzysztof Włodarczyk. the fight would take place in Newark, New Jersey at the Prudential Center on 21 October 2017. One of the main factors for the fight taking place in New Jersey was due to the Polish population in that state.[21][22] At the official weigh-in, Gassiev tipped the scales at 199 lb, while Włodarczyk weighed 199 1⁄2 lb.[23]

Gassiev delivered a dominant 3rd-round KO, retaining his IBF title and securing his place in the semi-finals. Gassiev was in control the opening two rounds working away on Włodarczyk. Midway through round 3, having Włodarczyk against the ropes, Gassiev connected with a left uppercut to the head, which was immediately followed by a left to the body, dropping Włodarczyk on all fours, flat on the canvas. Włodarczyk, clearly in pain, failed to beat the 10 count. The official time of stoppage was 1:57 of the round. Gassiev, who was pleased with his performance, said, "I had a great opponent tonight. I prepared myself for a tough fight, but it is boxing, and anything can happen. We do a lot of work in the gym, and I just listened to my coach round after round, and he told me what I needed to do. That's all I needed." Włodarczyk accepted defeat admitting the better man won.[24][25]

On the undercard, Maciej Sulęcki defeated Jack Culcay via unanimous decision, and tournament alternate Mateusz Masternak beat Stivens Bujaj.