Oleksandr Usyk Dominates Murat Gassiev to Become Undisputed Cruiserweight King

Usyk controlled every exchange, swept the scorecards and claimed all four cruiserweight belts on July 21, 2018.

Oleksandr Usyk dictated the distance from the opening bell and outclassed Murat Gassiev by unanimous decision in Moscow. The July 21, 2018 victory crowned him the four-belt cruiserweight champion and secured the Muhammad Ali Trophy.

Before a crowd of roughly 24,000, referee Celestino Ruiz oversaw a fight that crowned the first undisputed cruiserweight champion of the four-belt era. Judges Robin Taylor (120-108), Mauro Di Fiore (119-109) and Philippe Verbeke (119-109) all sided comfortably with Usyk after a one-sided boxing display.

The bout carried enormous significance. Usyk entered the ring holding the WBC and WBO cruiserweight titles after victories over Marco Huck and Mairis Briedis in the WBSS tournament, while Gassiev brought the WBA (Super) and IBF championships following knockout wins against Krzysztof Wlodarczyk and Yuniel Dorticos. The winner also claimed the vacant Ring Magazine championship. Recognition as the lineal champion came with the victory. The Muhammad Ali Trophy awaited the WBSS champion.

Many expected Gassiev’s punching power to pose the toughest test of Usyk’s career. Instead, the Ukrainian produced one of the cleanest technical performances ever seen in a cruiserweight title fight.

Usyk relied on constant lateral movement. His southpaw jab kept Gassiev occupied. Quick combinations landed before the Russian could plant his feet. Every time Gassiev looked ready to launch one of his heavy hooks, Usyk had already slipped away at an angle before returning with accurate punches.

Gassiev landed an occasional right hand, including one of his better punches in the fourth round, but those moments were rare. Usyk’s footwork repeatedly forced him to reset before he could build sustained offense.

The CompuBox numbers reflected the difference. Usyk landed 252 of 939 punches, including 99 jabs, while Gassiev connected on only 91 of 313. Rather than easing off with a comfortable lead, Usyk increased his work rate over the closing rounds, throwing 117 punches in the twelfth while landing 47 to finish the fight emphatically.

When the final bell sounded, the verdict was never in doubt. The unanimous decision completed Usyk’s sweep of every major cruiserweight world title. It also crowned him Ring Magazine champion. Recognition as the lineal champion followed. The Muhammad Ali Trophy completed the collection.

The World Boxing Super Series also delivered record-setting paydays for the division. Reports placed Usyk’s purse at approximately $10 million, while Gassiev earned about $5 million, making the final one of the richest cruiserweight bouts ever staged. Lonnie Ali presented the Muhammad Ali Trophy during the post-fight ceremony as Usyk celebrated in front of the Moscow crowd.

The victory elevated Usyk into boxing’s elite. His dominance at cruiserweight left nothing else to prove. He soon moved to heavyweight, where he eventually became the undisputed champion. Gassiev also entered the heavyweight division, although injuries slowed his career. He never returned to the championship level he reached at cruiserweight.

More than seven years later, the fight still serves as a blueprint for technical boxing. Usyk established his range immediately. Gassiev spent the rest of the night trying to close it. Few championship performances at cruiserweight have matched the precision he displayed that night in Moscow.