WBSS: Cruiserweight and Super Middleweight Semi-Finals Predictions
Predictions for Oleksandr Usyk vs Mairis Briedis, Murat Gassiev vs Yunier Dorticos, Christopher Eubank Jr. vs George Groves, and
Oleksandr Usyk vs Mairis Briedis — Cruiserweight semi-final January 27th
Gleb Kuzin: Due to Mairis’ uninspiring performance against Perez, he lost a lot of supporters who are now aren’t sure if he’s got a chance against the Ukrainian talent. To me, it’s much closer than the fans are trying to sell it. Mairis is a full package: ring IQ, power, fast feet, combinations, feints — everything is on the highest level. And he has no problem turning the boxing match into a dirty affair. He knows the price of victory. Usyk is a favorite to take it, certainly by decision, but he’s gonna have to work like never before.
Leo: Usyk, Decision. Briedis made his last fight absolutely awful to watch. That grimey style can possibly slow down Usyk, but I don’t think there is a single cruiser on the planet better than him. Usyk will have success from mid-range and his mobility will keep Briedis from tying up too often. It won’t be pretty; Usyk will not look as great as he did versus Huck.
John Cudney: It’s amazing how quickly Usyk has racked up a diverse and deep resume in his young career. In Breidis he will face possibly his most skilled opponent, but it’s hard to see the Latvian having enough talent in any specific area to get an edge over the Ukrainian. Usyk by decision.
Joshua of Yorkshire: In every big fight between two great boxers the dilemma of choosing who to root for is always the same: you either follow your heart, or you follow your brain. History likes to repeat itself and the history of boxing is no different. We can all see that Usyk is a psychopath, and that’s what Briedis is going play on. He’s gonna clinch, foul and the break the rules all to the delight of his hometown fans and the frustration of Oleksandr. He will break Usyk, making him go full Golota on Briedis’ balls, getting himself disqualified. Briedis will continue onto the finals.
Babajide Sotande-Peters: Usyk over Breidis in an ugly fight. Usyk’s reach and straighter punches being the difference.
Justin Hardison: Usyk wins by decision. He will win with his normal volume of work and pressure. I do think Breidis is good enough to make it ugly and hold at times and will most likely catch him in between some quick Usyk shots but Usyk will win 8–10 rounds in a clear decision.
Rajeew Lewis: Usyk will continue to show his brilliance, staying careful against the skilled Breidis but he will eventually figure him out and land some clean shots on the way to a competitive decision.
Final tally: Usyk 6–1
Murat Gassiev vs Yunier Dorticos — Cruiserweight semi-final February 3rd
Gleb Kuzin: Gassiev is the future. A perfect fit for future HOF trainer Abel Sanchez who is turning him into a better boxing-puncher with every fight. Murat Gassiev has everything required to have a legendary career both in Cruiserweight and Heavyweight. The only man capable of derailing the train in the near future is Oleksandr Usyk, his likely foe in the finals. Dorticos is but another “Good Boy” who’s gonna travel to Russia for the same purpose as he did previously — tasting the canvas.
Leo: Gassiev, Stoppage. This one is so hard to pick. These guys are both swinging anvils and have deadly power. I do think, though, that Gassiev is the smarter fighter and will not get caught with anything too big. He will pick his punches and work Dorticos and stop him in the mid-late rounds. Dorticos is an absolute power threat, so it wouldn’t shock me if Gassiev gets wobbled or even dropped.
John Cudney: 24 year old Murat Gassiev has looked like an invincible phenom up through this point in his career. He has blitzed through lesser opponents, and he proved his depth with a decision win over decorated veteran Denis Lebedev. That said, it can’t be ignored that Gassiev only had a handful of amatuer fights whereas Dorticos recieved extensive amatuer schooling in Cuba. I think Gassiev will edge it, but it would be an insult to Dorticos to predict a knockout. Gassiev by Decision.
Joshua of Yorkshire: I’m getting tired of repeating it. A cruiserweight worth jack shit until they meet the king — Guillermo Jones. And by the line of succession, Gassiev, who beat Lebedev, who got robbed of victory against The King, is currently the best Cruiserweight in the known universe. And he will continue proving he’s the best en route to the final, getting Yunier Dorticos taste of his own medicine.
Babajide Sotande-Peters: Dorticos by KO over Gassiev. He has that X factor
Justin Hardison: Gassiev wins by late TKO or KO. I think Gassiev’s footwork and patience will be enough to keep Dorticos’ power shots from connecting enough to take him out. I think he will apply steady patient pressure and will wear down Dorticos late in the fight with his bodywork, then look for the finish.
Rajeew Lewis: Gassiev and Dorticos are both huge power punchers who have destroyed their previous opponents and pose great danger to each other. Dorticos does appear more polished and could sneak in some great counters, but Gassiev is an offensive prodigy and should land his big shot first for a KO win.
Final tally: 6–1 Gassiev
Christopher Livingstone Eubank Junior vs George Groves — Super Middleweight semi-final February 27th
Gleb Kuzin: The most evenly matched fight in the WBSS so far. Groves has the goods, the experience, and the ring IQ to not only beat Eubank, but to win the tournament. The question is his body. Though he decisively defeated Jamie Cox, he looked like he was going life and death at time and he ate plenty of solid shots. Does he have enough left in the tank to go the distance with Eubank Jr.? Will his body hold? I think not.
Leo: Eubank, Decision. This is another tough one. If this was Groves from 3–4 years ago it would have been a no-brainer, but the years have been rougher on Groves. Eubank started the WBSS sensationally (and so did Groves), but it was the kind of guy he’s supposed to be sensational against. Groves has serious mileage and Eubank does have heavy hands. Eubank is younger, stronger, and more athletic; expect Groves to be ground down throughout the fight.
John Cudney: George Groves has had some uneven performances throughout his career but he has matured into a seasoned veteran. Meanwhile I have always viewed Eubank as athletically gifted, but with a very low skill ceiling. To my eyes it's hard to see Groves getting taken out, nor do I see him losing a decision. Groves by decision
Joshua of Yorkshire: Everytime George Groves goes about trying to capture a World Title, the officials rob him. First the referee, then the judges. He’s the man at Super Middleweight, always has been and always will be and no kid, let alone a son of a local youtube celebrity, is going to take what he’s worked so long to earn.
Babajide Sotande-Peters: Eubank via controversial decision over Groves. Work rate and freshness will give him the edge.
Justin Hardison: Eubank wins by decision. I think this will be Eubank’s coming out fight where he will be impressive in most rounds and his hand speed and timing will be enough to nullify Groves footwork. I expect Eubank to outscore Groves in a clear decision.
Rajeew Lewis: Eubank is the younger, fresher man who has been looking especially sharp as of late. His speed has improved, and though he won’t have the power to seriously hurt Groves, he will be able to move in and out of range and win on points.
Final tally: 5–2 Chris Eubank Jr.
Callum Smith vs Juergen Braehmer — Super Middleweight semi-final February 24th
Gleb Kuzin: Woah, a tough call. Smith did not shown anything close to championship-tier ability in his fight against the Swede in the first round of the WBSS. Even though it is recorded as a win on paper, he certainly lost a lot of respect with that performance. It seems that he’s no better than any of his other brothers, and that he’ll be left cruising around at the championship level for the remaining of his career. He’s got the full package, but none of the tools he carries stand out. He’s merely good, and that might not be enough to defeat Juergen Braehmer and the German Officials. I would bet on Smith to do barely enough to squeeze out a victory on three close scorecards, looking way worse than he should along the way.
Leo: Smith, Decision. Callum is supposed to be the best of the fighting Smith brothers (which honestly isn’t saying much). Braehmer is nearly 40 years old and going up against a younger guy with more to prove. I’m usually one to back the wily veteran over the young buck, but I don’t see much in Braehmer that should cause worry for Smith.
John Cudney: When Juergen Braehmer moved down to 168 to enter the WBSS, man questioned how the old German’s body would handle the transition. As it turns out, he didn’t look diminished at all in his bout with Rob Brant and he was able to leverage his size and experience to score a decision win. Conversely, Callum Smith showed clear flaws in his opening bout against an much more limited opponent. I see Braehmer as too much of a riddle for the much younger Smith to figure out. Braehmer by decision.
Joshua of Yorkshire: An easy choice. Everybody who follows boxing closely knows that the Smith Boxing Dynasty™ is the greatest of all time, both in terms of succession and the average produce of world-level talents. The best of them all, 6'3 tall Callum Smith, after weeks of negotiations and Braehmer’s countless attempts to pull out of the fight, the youngest brother will finally travel to Germany to put an end to a career of another German cheater.
Babajide Sotande-Peters: Smith decisions Braehmer. Youth, size and freshness should see him through but it will be tougher than it should be.
Justin Hardison: I’m going with Braehmer by decision. Braehmer really impressed with his perfectly fought fight in his first WBSS bout and Smith has been overhyped for his entire career. If Braehmer can get past Smith’s jab, then I see him frustrating Smith and outworking him on the inside. This is going to be a close decision and probably controversial.
Rajeew Lewis: Brahmer looked good moving down in weight despite his age, but he has been hittable in the past. Despite his inexperience, Callum has the ability to rough his opponent up and win the decision.
Final tally: 5–2 Callum Smith
And there you have it. The predictions for the Cruiserweight bracket are largely one-sided but there is no such consensus on the Super Middleweight side. Boxing fans have four excellent fights to look forward to in the coming weeks.
If you like Sunday Puncher, you can check out more recent articles, subscribe to our boxing calendar, subscribe to our podcast, follow us on Twitter, and follow us on Facebook.
