“Like a dream” – Mairis Briedis returns to Latvia with the Ali Trophy

By Boxing News - 09/28/2020 - Comments

An emotional Mairis Briedis talks about his epic World Boxing Super Series journey and a possible move to heavyweight after conquering Yuniel Dorticos in Saturday’s Season II WBSS Cruiserweight Final.

“It feels fantastic to have won the Muhammad Ali Trophy, it feels like a dream,” said Briedis. “Me, my team, my family have been waiting for such a long time for the trophy. Thank God we did it, and I am really happy about it.”

Briedis’ only career defeat came after an extremely tough and hard-fought battle with Aleksandr Usyk in the semi-final of Season I as the official scores were 114-114 and 115-113 twice for the future tournament winner.

“I was down after the Usyk-fight,” said Briedis. Usyk was better that night, and it is what it is.

“But looking back I can see that a lot of things around me and in my team have changed. And everything has gone better since that fight. I really don’t know if I would have won that night if my career would have advanced the way it has.”

Saturday in Munich, Briedis redeemed himself, won the trophy on scores of 114-114, 117-111, and 117-111, and looked like the fighter who took Usyk to the limit in 2018.

“In the first rounds I felt how dangerous Dorticos is, but I got used to his style, and in the later rounds we didn’t risk too much, we just boxed what we had prepared. I’m very satisfied with my performance.”

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the final for the coveted tournament trophy took place behind closed doors at Plazamedia Studios in Munich, not in a filled, noisy arena as the Latvian sports hero is used to.

“I hope I produced a fight for the Latvian fans to be proud of me. The fans couldn’t be at the arena, but at least through TV I hopefully brought them emotions.”

After touching down in Riga, Briedis took the trophy to The Freedom Monument, a symbol of freedom and independence, and the focal point of public gatherings and official ceremonies in Riga. Under normal circumstances, Briedis would have been met by a large crowd to celebrate his historic achievement.

“It’s a shame I could not share my feelings with my fans and with the people who believed in me, who prayed for me and who sent me very energetic and strong messages. But it feels amazing to show the fans that the trophy is finally in Riga after such a long journey.”

In addition to the Muhammad Ali Trophy, Briedis is now a three-time world champion after picking up the IBF title, and Ring Magazine’s champ at 200lbs. Briedis has now gone 4-0, including three decisions and one TKO, since that close loss to Usyk, the former cruiserweight ruler, who has moved north to heavyweight.

“I am considering a move to heavyweight,” said Briedis. “But right now I will rest a bit before I make any decisions.”

Mairis Briedis is the fifth winner of the Muhammad Ali Trophy, and the Latvian joins an illustrious line of elite boxers who have won the revolutionary bracket-style elimination tournament: Aleksandr Usyk, Callum Smith, Josh Taylor, Naoya Inoue, and Mairis Briedis are forever linked to Greatest of all Time.

Briedis beats Dorticos to win Muhammad Ali trophy

Mairis Briedis wins the Muhammad Ali Trophy After Enthralling Final in Munich, Germany.

Season II of the World Boxing Super Series came to its conclusion on Saturday with Mairis Briedis taking home the coveted Muhammad Ali Trophy after a thrilling encounter against Yuniel Dorticos at the Plazamedia Studios in Munich, Germany.

The WBSS Cruiserweight Final behind closed doors was a close battle, but Latvia’s Mairis Briedis repeatedly troubled Dorticos with powerful counter-punches during a commanding performance.

Dorticos, the Miami-based Cuban, was never far behind, and one judge scored it a draw with a tally of 114-114, while the other officials handed in wide verdicts of 117-111 for Briedis, who claimed the Muhammad Ali Trophy, Ring belt and IBF title.

Mairis Briedis and Yuniel Dorticos were defeated semi-finalists in Season I of WBSS cruiserweight tournament.

“It’s been a long journey,” said Briedis. “I’m thrilled to finally get my hands on the Muhammad Ali Trophy. Dorticos was as tough and strong as expected, but after a few rounds I could figure out what he was going to do.

“I want to thank my wife, my team and my fans in Latvia for being with me all of the way!”

Dorticos said. “I would like to thank the World Boxing Super Series for this opportunity once again. It was a close fight and I thought I was closer to the victory than the scorecards read. Congrats to Briedis and his team. ‘The KO Doctor’ will be back stronger than ever!”

Mairis Briedis is the fifth winner of the Ali Trophy, and the Latvian joins an illustrious line of boxers who have won the revolutionary bracket-style elimination tournament: Aleksandr Usyk, Callum Smith, Josh Taylor, Naoya Inoue, and Mairis Briedis are forever linked to Greatest of all Time.

Muhammad Ali Trophy winners:
Season II: Mairis Briedis (Cruiserweight), Josh Taylor (Super-Lightweight), Naoya Inoue (Bantamweight)
Season I: Aleksandr Usyk (Cruiserweight), Callum Smith (Super Middleweight)

YouTube video

Image: “Like a dream” – Mairis Briedis returns to Latvia with the Ali Trophy

Image: “Like a dream” – Mairis Briedis returns to Latvia with the Ali Trophy

Image: “Like a dream” – Mairis Briedis returns to Latvia with the Ali Trophy

Image: “Like a dream” – Mairis Briedis returns to Latvia with the Ali Trophy

Image: “Like a dream” – Mairis Briedis returns to Latvia with the Ali Trophy