By Gav Duthie: The latest brain child of Sauerland Promotions gets underway next month bringing some of the finest boxing talent from two weight classes together to find a supreme champion. Sauerland has joined forces with Richard Schaefer to create The World Boxing Super Series tournament in both the Super Middleweight and Cruiserweight divisions.
(Photo credit: Mark Hermenau/ World Boxing Super Series)
As well as the opportunity to win the coveted Muhammad Ali trophy, $50 million is also up for grabs and the chance to create a true boxing legacy. The quarter final match ups are complete and the odds are in for the outright tournament winner. Lets look at the favorites, the likely draw for the final and the tournaments dark horses.
Cruiserweight Division
(Best odds courtesy of Oddschecker)
Oleksandr Usyk 10/11
Murat Gassiev 9/2
Mairis Briedis 11/2
Yunier Durticos 10/1
Dimitry Kudryashov 16/1
Mike Perez 20/1
Krysztof Wlodarczyk 50/1
Marco Huck 66/1
The Favorite
Despite being only a 12 fight novice the bookies have been smart to make Usyk favorite. He’s an Olympic gold medalist (400-10 amateur record) and has an impressive resume so far. He is likely to have an easy route through to the semi final facing former cruiserweight God Marco Huck who seems well past his best.
The Dark Horse
Mike Perez. Used to taking punches from heavyweights the Cuban was tipped for big things in the top division. 20/1 seems great odds for him. He lost his way a little after the tragic events in the Magomed Abdusalamov fight and took some time away from boxing after a one round destruction defeat against Alexander Povetkin. He has come back losing 40 pounds and winning his cruiserweight debut in 29 seconds. The problem is he fights the talented WBC Latvian champion in the Quarter Final.
My Tip
Mairis Briedis. Its hard to see past Usyk but the WBC champion really impresses me. His one punch uppercut knockout over solid heavyweight contender Manuel Charr was impressive enough. His calculated boxing display against Huck even more so. Unfortunately to win it he will have the hardest route as Perez first and a semi final with Usyk complicates things.
Predictions
Quarter Final
Usyk v Huck (Usyk UD 12)
Briedis v Perez (Briedis UD 12)
Gassiev v Wlodarczyk (Gassiev TKO 10)
Dorticos v Kudryashov (Dorticos TKO 9)
Semi Final
Usyk v Briedis (Briedis SD 12)
Gassiev v Dorticos (Gassiev MD 12)
Final
Briedis v Gassiev (Briedis UD 12)
Super Middleweight
(Best odds courtesy of oddschecker)
Callum Smith 7/4
George Groves 5/2
Chris Eubank Jnr 3/1
Avni Yildirim 20/1
Juergen Braehmer 20/1
Jamie Cox 22/1
Erik Skoglund 40/1l
Rob Brant 50/1
The Favorite
I’m surprised Callum Smith has been made favorite. He faces fellow undefeated fighter Erik Skoglund in the first round and despite both being undefeated their disparity in odds is huge. The good news for Smith is that he would avoid all British compatriots until the final if he gets there. I would make Groves favorite because although he has lost 3 times he and Braehmer are the only ones to really box at the highest level so far.
The Dark Horse
Jurgen Braehmer. For being a long standing champion in the weight class above he has to be in with a shout. He fights Rob Brant first who is generally a middleweight and he is a clever fighter. He was beating Cleverly in his last fight but it was concerning that he quit when no significant injuries were picked up in his scan. At 20/1 though his experience surely warrants a possible flutter.
My Tip
George Groves. Jamie Cox his first opponent is a similar style fighter but a southpaw and originally a light middleweight. Eubank is a middleweight and doesn’t have the power to beat George. I feel Groves now has the experience and quality to come into his stride.
Predictions
Quarter Final
Groves v Cox ( Groves TKO 7)
Eubank v Yildiram (Eubank UD 12)
Smith v Skoglund (Smith KO 5)
Braehmer v Brant (Braehmer UD 12)
Semi Final
Groves v Eubank (Groves UD 12)
Smith v Braehmer (Smith TKO 10)
Final
Groves v Smith (Groves SD 12)