Gassiev stops Dorticos in the twelfth
In Sochi, Russiathe second semifinal match ofthe World Boxing Super Series Cruiserweight tournament Murat Gassiev was able to improve to 26-0 with 19KO by stopping Yunier Dorticos in the twelfth round. Dorticos fell to 22-1 with 21KO.
The fight started with Dorticos coming forward behind his jab. Gassiev seemed contentto try to fight off of his back fight. Asthe second round began Dorticos continuedtobe the aggressor. Gassiev was ableto land some effective counters including a couple of solid right hands to the head although they seemed to have little effect on Dorticos.
The third and fourth rounds were almost carbon copies of each other has Dorticoscontinuedto work behindhis jab and be the aggressor. Gassiev was ableto land but like before they seemedto havelittleeffect.
In the fifth round Gassiev began to fight off his front foot finally. With a little under 45 seconds left Gassiev was able to land a left hook to the head that temporarily rattled Dorticos although the Cuban was able to quickly regroup.
In round six the tide appeared to be turning as Gassiev was now clearly becoming the aggressor and Dorticos showed the ability to fight somewhat effectively off his back foot.
The seventh round was fought primarily inthe center of the ring as both guys traded punches without much give although it appeared Gassiev got the better of the exchanges. Round eight, Dorticos became more aggressive as it almost appeared Gassiev was taking a round off.
In the ninth and tenth round Gassiev came back outthe aggressor, putting Dorticos back onthe back foot. The Russianwas abletoland a few of solid left hands in which Dorticos attemptedto shake off like he did earlier but it was apparent they were having an effect.
To start round eleven it was clear that Gassiev was in charge ofthe action. With under a minute left in the round he was ableto land a left hook that caused Dorticos to grab and hold on for dear life.
Inthe final round Gassiev came out looking to stop Dorticos as he continued to be the aggressor. He was ableto knock Dorticos down threetimes asthe referee stopped the fight following the final knockdown in which Dorticos went throughthe ropes.
The number two seed Gassiev, who won Dorticos WBA title to go with his IBF belt, will now move on to face WBC & WBO champion Oleksandr Usyk inthe final.
By: Chris Henderson
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