Aleksandr Usyk produced a performance of sheer genius to completely dominate Murat Gassiev in Moscow, and in doing so, becomes the undisputed World cruiserweight champion and the inaugural winner of the ‘World Boxing Super Series’ Ali Trophy.
In a bout that was billed by many as a fifty-fifty encounter, Usyk made a mockery of such predictions, totally befuddling his Russian opponent from the first bell to the last in a stunning exhibition of sublime boxing skill.
The Ukrainian, who added the IBF and WBA World cruiserweight titles to his WBC and WBO belts, becomes the first man in the history of the division to hold all four titles simultaneously.
Usyk displayed a fleet-footedness that belied his 6ft 3″ frame as he ran rings around the previously-unbeaten Russian, in-front of Gassiev’s home fans in Moscow. Utilising his freakish movement and stinging southpaw jab to full-effect, he frustrated his opponent in a truly flawless performance.
Abel Sanchez, renowned trainer of Gassiev, tried to stoke the fires under his young charge in between rounds, but neither man was able to come up with a solution to the balletic beauty of Usyk’s footwork, nor his rapid-fire combination punching.
Though Gassiev was able to have a small modicum of success – a right hand in the fourth his undoubted standout moment – he was simply out of his depth; thus further emphasising the sheer magnitude of Usyk’s mastery, as he pot-shotted and pivoted his way to a virtual shutout against a truly world-class opponent.
Not content with winning practically every second of the contest, Usyk kept his foot to the floor in the final session, putting his punches together with a frenzied fluidity that totally shutdown any notion of a late rally from Gassiev.
The performance caps a whirlwind reign of terror for Usyk at the sub-200lbs division, in which he has fought for – and won – World titles away from home, and culminated in being the first man to claim the Ali Trophy.
In his post-fight interview, Usyk spoke of his desire to face WBC ‘Emeritus’ World cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew, and stated he would be willing to move up to heavyweight to make the fight happen.
While in boxing, the focus is always seemingly on the next step, for now at least, observers of the sweet science can take stock, sit back and admire one of the sport’s true master craftsmen.