A Look Ahead Into the World Boxing Super Series

A Look Ahead Into the World Boxing Super Series

548

By: Oliver McManus

With the first incarnation of the World Boxing Super Series coming to a close in the near months, I thought it was only right to look back on the brain-child of Kalle Sauerland & Richard Schaefer but also to look forward at what could be for 2018/19.

To produce a real shake-up within the boxing industry, Sauerland and Schaefer (sounds like a nice German detective thriller) needed big names, big money, big arenas but, most importantly, big organization.

Now that last point may sound a bit weird but it’s arguably the most important because fans and fighters aren’t in the business of waiting for fights to be made and after a while the match-ups themselves lose their hype;

Take the Super Six World Boxing Classic which was rife with issues – I mean first up, that name is a mouthful – but the main issue was it’s confusing group stage format combined with the fact it took place over two years resulting in an unsaleable product.

I’m still struggling to work out how Artur Abraham lost two of his three bouts yet still made the semi-final AND how Glen Johnson only had one fight in the group stages… nine years on and I’m still confused!

Evidently, then, the WBSS needed to promise something far simpler and in a bracket-style format with 8 RANKED fighters per division taking place over 9 months – a simple, easy-to-follow format.

Therein lied the main attraction to this event and the fact that all four cruiserweight champions signed up made for mouth-watering encounters – the Super Middleweight tournament didn’t quite have the same level of razzmatazz with relative unknowns Avni Yildirim and Rob Brant signing up alongside, the only recognized world champion, George Groves with Jamie Cox, Chris Eubank Jr, Erik Skoglund, Callum Smith and Jurgen Brahmer making up the numbers.

Looking to innovate from the start the proceedings kicked off with a draw whereby the four seeded fighter got to pick from the four unseeded fighters to determine who would fight who – putting the power into the hands of the fighter. This produced a tasty clash between Groves and Cox whereas other fighters (Chris Eubank Jr, I’m looking at you) blatantly picked the easiest fight possible (against Avni Yilidirim) although to be fair that was Snr’s choice.

The fights throughout were of a high quality – especially in the cruiserweight division – but the promoters missed a trick in not having the defeated men fight on the following undercards. One of the most spectacular talking points of each fight night was, well, just how spectacular the Sauerland’s managed to make the arena’s and atmosphere’s through, mainly, just incredible lighting and packed crowds.

Unfortunately the whole series encountered the first snag when Brahmer withdrew from the semi-final against Callum Smith on the Monday fight night – too late to postpone the whole event, apparently – and unknown Dutchman Nieky Holzken stepped in to fight the British “Diamond” Champion.

Holzken put in a spirited performance and was far better than many expected in pushing Smith the full 12 rounds although, having said that, Smith was far from impressive but it reinforced the issue that if fighters got injured it through the whole tournament off course resulting in either heavy postponements or sub-par fights. Imagine if Holzken beat Smith – would he have gone on to face Groves (presumably, yes) or would Brahmer have been able to challenge him beforehand. Certainly from a legal perspective I’d suggest he’d have a solid case.

A questionable choice from the promoters was to hold the cruiserweight final between Oleksandr Usyk and Murat Gassiev – for ALL the belts – in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. By all accounts it’s set to be the first fight held in the Arab country but garners all sorts of controversy not least because it’s uncertain whether women will be allowed to attend but, also, it alienates much of the Usyk / Gassiev fan-based in addition to the main Western markets for ticket sales.

Let’s be clear though across the cruiser tournament we have been blessed with insane fights starting off with Mairis Briedis vs Mike Perez in the quarter-finals before two barnstormer semi-finals between Usyk-Briedis and Gassiev-Dorticos. You literally could not ask for more.

Rumours already abound the 2018-19 editions of the World Boxing Super Series with the main focus being on what weight division will be featured – it is my understanding that the Super Lightweight and Bantamweight categories will be the two picked by the Sauerland brothers.

Looking ahead at the 2018-19 version it’s unlikely the same level of prize money will be levied at the 16 fighters – a total of $50million was on offer for the two inaugural brackets – with the lower weight divisions seemingly courting less money but that’s not to say we will see any less superfluous action.

The WBSS have worked miracles already but should they managed to put together a Zolani Tete vs Ryan Burnett unification fight – who knows, maybe in Belfast – then they will have truly managed to pull off something special but it’s not just those two who could be in action, Jamie McDonnell, Paul Butler and Lee Haskins would all produce sumptuous match-ups.

Venturing into the super-lightweight division and it’s questionable whether all four champions would enter – far more likely to happen in the bantam division – but the likes of Terry Flanagan, Kiryl Relikh, Adrien Broner, Josh Taylor, Regis Prograis, Anthony Yigit, Jack Catterall and Julius Indongo are all realistic possibilities that would promise to entertain.

Speculation aside though there’s only two fights we need to focus on at the moment and that’s Usyk-Gassiev on the 11th May for the UNDISPUTED cruiserweight champion of the world and Groves-Smith in July, Manchester, for the WBA Super-Middleweight belt.
Let’s get it on.

Tags:

548 Comments

  5. BryanKen
    03/20/2025,

    A true asset to our neighborhood.
    can i order cipro
    Their international insights have benefited me greatly.

  24. Elder Law Attorneys
    03/26/2025,

    Looking for expert guidance on protecting assets while qualifying for Medicaid? As experienced elder law attorneys near me, our team at Ohio Medicaid Lawyers provides specialized legal assistance with Medicaid planning, estate planning, and asset protection strategies. We help seniors understand medicaid eligibility income charts and navigate the complex 5-year lookback period. Visit our website for comprehensive information about Ohio medicaid income limits 2024 and schedule a consultation with a trusted elder care attorney who can safeguard your future.

  25. WilliamDic
    03/26/2025,

    kamagra 100mg kopen: Kamagra – Kamagra Kopen Online

  75. Michaelheago
    03/31/2025,

    Beste online drogist: Apotheek Max – Online apotheek Nederland met recept

  105. TrentChobe
    04/04/2025,

    best online canadian pharmacy: GoCanadaPharm – legal canadian pharmacy online

  111. Chesternig
    04/04/2025,

    canadian online drugs: GoCanadaPharm – pet meds without vet prescription canada

  120. Edwintiz
    04/05/2025,

    best canadian online pharmacy reviews: GoCanadaPharm – canadian drugs pharmacy

  145. LanceWaisk
    04/08/2025,

    where to buy prednisone in australia: Pred Pharm Net – prednisone canada pharmacy

  153. Robertglarp
    04/09/2025,

    grand pasha bet: casibom 1st – casino gГјncel giriЕџ casibom1st.com

  156. Robertglarp
    04/09/2025,

    casino siteleri: betnoo – casino siteleri casinositeleri1st.com

  161. Garretttoomi
    04/10/2025,

    gГјvenilir bahis siteleri 2025 casibom bonus veren idda siteleri casibom1st.shop

  162. Robertglarp
    04/10/2025,

    sweet bonanza yorumlar: sweet bonanza – sweet bonanza oyna sweetbonanza1st.shop

  164. Garretttoomi
    04/10/2025,

    en iyi casino oyunlarД± casibom online kumar siteleri casibom1st.shop

  169. Robertglarp
    04/11/2025,

    kazino online: casibom – bahis siteleri isimleri casibom1st.com

  175. Cletuskak
    04/12/2025,

    best online pharmacies in mexico: USMexPharm – mexican border pharmacies shipping to usa

  182. Dennisbiarm
    04/13/2025,

    pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa: UsMex Pharm – certified Mexican pharmacy

  267. PeterQuogy
    04/24/2025,

    pharmacie en ligne sans ordonnance pharmacie en ligne pharmacie en ligne france livraison belgique pharmafst.shop

  284. Bernardactit
    04/25/2025,

    Pharmacie en ligne Cialis sans ordonnance: Acheter Cialis – Cialis sans ordonnance 24h tadalmed.shop

  285. Bradleyeages
    04/25/2025,

    Cialis sans ordonnance pas cher: Acheter Cialis – cialis generique tadalmed.shop

  287. Bradleyeages
    04/26/2025,

    acheter mГ©dicament en ligne sans ordonnance: Livraison rapide – pharmacie en ligne avec ordonnance pharmafst.com

  304. Bernardactit
    04/28/2025,

    Achat mГ©dicament en ligne fiable: pharmacie en ligne – trouver un mГ©dicament en pharmacie pharmafst.com

  338. KennethSnind
    05/02/2025,

    vavada вход: vavada – vavada casino

  357. KennethSnind
    05/04/2025,

    вавада: vavada – вавада официальный сайт

  359. RichardSmatt
    05/04/2025,

    pin up вход pin up вход пин ап казино официальный сайт

  361. RichardSmatt
    05/04/2025,

    пин ап казино официальный сайт пин ап вход пин ап казино официальный сайт

  364. RichardSmatt
    05/05/2025,

    вавада официальный сайт vavada вавада

  378. ElmerDaw
    05/06/2025,

    пин ап казино официальный сайт: пинап казино – пин ап казино официальный сайт

  379. RichardSmatt
    05/06/2025,

    вавада официальный сайт vavada vavada casino

  390. RichardSmatt
    05/08/2025,

    vavada вход vavada вавада зеркало

  433. RussellEdups
    05/12/2025,

    Amo Health Care: Amo Health Care – where to buy amoxicillin 500mg without prescription

  436. RussellEdups
    05/13/2025,

    where to get clomid price: Clom Health – where to get clomid no prescription

  447. LorenBonee
    05/14/2025,

    cialis drug interactions: TadalAccess – cialis canada pharmacy no prescription required

  451. ScottCug
    05/14/2025,

    cialis generic timeline: Tadal Access – cialis no prescription overnight delivery

  453. JosephLaf
    05/14/2025,

    buy cialis online canada TadalAccess where to buy tadalafil in singapore

  454. LorenBonee
    05/14/2025,

    cialis from canadian pharmacy registerd: TadalAccess – sanofi cialis

  467. JosephLaf
    05/16/2025,

    cialis manufacturer coupon free trial Tadal Access can you drink wine or liquor if you took in tadalafil

  476. JosephLaf
    05/17/2025,

    cialis without a doctor prescription canada TadalAccess cialis canada price

  488. LorenBonee
    05/19/2025,

    cialis black: TadalAccess – what happens when you mix cialis with grapefruit?

  489. ScottCug
    05/19/2025,

    tadalafil generico farmacias del ahorro: Tadal Access – how much does cialis cost at walgreens

  493. JosephLaf
    05/19/2025,

    cialis canada pharmacy no prescription required Tadal Access cialis with dapoxetine

  495. Jerrysoype
    05/19/2025,

    At pre-eminent, I was skeptical in the matter of https://joyorganics.com/collections/delta-9-gummies , but sometimes I provide for them in my nightstand. They’ve evolve into neighbourhood of my evening wont—one gummy, a cup of tea, and I’m good to go. I don’t perceive strident or kinky, nothing but serene and on the brink of to nonsense down. The flavor’s actually as a matter of fact well-behaved too, which surprised me. No unnatural aftertaste like some others I’ve tried. If your perception runs a mile a tick at cimmerian dark or you’re just maddening to cool after farm, these are for all value checking out.

  501. LorenBonee
    05/20/2025,

    price of cialis: Tadal Access – where can i buy cialis online in australia

  505. LorenBonee
    05/20/2025,

    how to take liquid tadalafil: Tadal Access – how much does cialis cost at walgreens

  507. LorenBonee
    05/21/2025,

    what is the generic name for cialis: TadalAccess – tadalafil tablets side effects

  512. ScottCug
    05/22/2025,

    cialis no perscription overnight delivery: TadalAccess – adcirca tadalafil

  513. JosephLaf
    05/22/2025,

    is cialis a controlled substance TadalAccess cialis mechanism of action

  516. LorenBonee
    05/22/2025,

    order cialis online no prescription reviews: cialis directions – cialis canada over the counter

  536. JosephMom
    05/27/2025,

    Over the counter antibiotics for infection: Biot Pharm – buy antibiotics online

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *