In general, trainers prefer not to be knocked out….
Undefeated WBA cruiserweight champion, Yunier Dorticos, has finished 21 of his 22 wins via knockout. He’s ended at least one training session that way as well.
Dorticos is training for a February 3rd fight with Murat Gassiev in the semi-final of the World Super Series. The fight will take place in the former Olympic city of Sochi, Russia.
“This fight is a very special one,” said promoter Kalle Sauerland, chief boxing officer of tournament owner Comosa AG. “The level in the Ali Trophy tournament is already of the very highest, but when you have two such decorated boxers with massive KO power, then the only guaranteed winner is the fans. Two world champions collide in Sochi, this special Olympic city. Russia, hold tight for the Ali Trophy experience; the lights and stars are on their way.”
Evidently, Dorticos is taking his training for the bout seriously.
CONFIRMED: #AliTrophy Semi Final heads for Olympic City Sochi on February 3 #GassievDorticos 🇷🇺🇨🇺 pic.twitter.com/UkGVwXvFk8
— Kalle & Nisse Sauerland (@SauerlandBros) December 5, 2017
Yunier Dorticos
the “KO Doctor” Yunier Dorticos had this to say regarding the upcoming bout:
“I am looking forward to fighting in Sochi. No matter where I fight, I will work hard to take my opponent out,” Dorticos said. “I believe I am the best in the world and the future winner of the Muhammad Ali Trophy. I can’t wait to show Gassiev and the fans in Russia and all over the world what ‘The KO Doctor’ is about.”
Murat Gassiev
Dorticos’ opponent on February 3rd, 2018, Murat Gassiev, had this to say about the upcoming bout:
“The location for the semifinal was not important for me, but the fact that it will be in Russia and the beautiful city of Sochi makes me very glad,” he said. “This means my family and friends and a lot of people from my home region of Ossetia will be attending. Also, it is always an honor and pleasure to fight in front of my countrymen.
“Dorticos is a very good, dangerous fighter. It is going to be great to test my skills against an opponent like him. I am confident we will deliver great boxing for fans around the world.”
Yunier Dorticos KOs his trainer Eric Castaños during a training session. Video courtesy of @jorgeebro follow Jorge on youtube SerEbro EnlosDeportes. pic.twitter.com/WdFSYhSp6m
— PRO CUBAN BOXING (@procubanboxing) December 20, 2017
Yunier Dorticos Knocks Out His Own Trainer
The winner of the Dorticos vs. Gassiev bout will take on the winner of Oleksandr Usyk vs. Mairis Briedis in the finals. The winner brings home the Ali Trophy. Should Dorticos win the whole thing, it’s assumed he’ll make sure his trainer is rewarded justly for his sacrifice in this camp.
The winner also receives $10 million, though it is not clear how much of that Dorticos’ will be doling out to his team.
This will be a fight boxing fans won’t be expecting to go the distance. While Dorticos has knocked out 21 of his 22 opponents, Gassiev’s record is almost as impressive. With an unblemished record of 25-0, he has finished 18 of his 25 opponents.
Dorticos claims he’s already bought painkillers to help Gassiev deal with the beating he plans to give him.
“Did I buy painkillers for Gassiev, as I promised? Yes, of course, I bought them,” Dorticos told journalists.
“I will hit him very hard and he will be very hurt. I personally have no dislike for opponents and their fans.We only fight in the ring, and we are friends outside the ring. We have nothing personal with Gassiev, the only thing I said to him is that I want to knock him out and I did not say anything disrespectful to him.
“The best job I can do is give a good fight, so everyone will be happy and see that the best has won, and of course I know that the best is me. I want to send a big hello to all the Russian boxing fans, and I hope they come and see what the knockout will be like.”
