Usyk Dominates Gassiev, Takes Ali Trophy in WBSS Finale

To say that it was easy work isn’t fair.

Alexander Usyk made it look like easy work on Saturday when in the World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight finale he won just about every second of all 12 rounds against foe Murat Gassiev.

To say that this didn’t play out as the majority of fans and pundits expected is a severe under statement. Gassiev’s power edge was never a factor, as the Ukrainian Usyk’s ring generalship from second one showed him to be a pound for pound ace, and a master craftsman. By scores of 120-108, 119-108, 119-108 the judges got it right; it would have been a grotesque felony and maybe killed the sport for good if the judges labeled Gassiev the winner.

Gassiev didn’t push the 31 year old Usyk (15-0 with 11 Kos)  and take part in a Fight of the Year candidate, because he wasn’t able to get past a mobility edge. He was a step behind, sometimes two, as Usyk’s volume proved too daunting round after round after round. But it wasn't EASY WORK, Usyk just made it look so. Using the Lomachenko Method, sacrificing power in order to ensure volume and maintain balance, he was controlling the action from the anthems onward.

A right cross or two, some left hooks to the body, they landed, but the lefty Usyk’s defensive steadiness made the Russian unable to activate anything more than a few seconds of being in control at a time.

Would the Ukrainain, who holds all the cruiser straps now, slow down? Would he finally feel some lead in the legs, and enable Gassiev (26-1; 24 years old) to bang away? Not one stitch.

This was Usyk’s night in Moscow and if you thought maybe his accumulated experience as an amateur was finally sapping his skills after watching him in the WBSS semi-final, then you had to adjust your POV.

CHECK OUT THESE COMPUBOX STATS:

Some will see this outing as more so about Gassiev’s limitations than Usyk’s upsides, and yes, Gassiev’s lack of a reliable jab to get inside and to interrupt the rhythm of a foe didn’t do him favors. But really, Usyk deserves all the props and that Ali Trophy, which was handed over by Muhammad’s wife Lonnie in that ring in Moscow. Fairly fitting, as his skills were of the highest caliber, and even the Greatest would have said the same.

HERE IS THE RELEASE WBSS SENT OUT: