Usyk vs. Gassiev - Russia Making Big Play To Outbid Saudi Arabia

[Ruthless-RKO]

The Secretary General of the Russian Boxing Federation, Umar Kremlev, announced his intention to make a big financial push to host the finals of the World Super Series of Boxing (WBSS) in Russia on the Day of Russian Boxing on July 22.

"We will put maximum pressure on the organizers of the WBSS to make the final of the tournament in Russia," said the Kremlin.

"We have already started to act and have indicated our intention to break the price being paid for the show by Saudi Arabia. We want this show to be held on our Day for Russian boxing, which will be held on July 22."

Said Comosa’s Chief Boxing Officer, Kalle Sauerland:
“I think we saw for a second week in a row the product you get when you put the best against the best. I think we saw an absolute action-packed battle. This fight was a great advert for the sport, the tournament and the cruiserweight division. People will talk about this fight for many years, especially in Russia.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

What I don't get is, at first when Jeddah was announced, back in December I believe.. there was no issues. As soon as we know Gassiev is in the final, Russia want to host the final now in June. Saudi must have bid some good money for the fight, but I think it should be neutral. I'm okay with Jeddah. I don't think any other country (apart from Russia) want the CW final.

Been a cracking tournament though.

[Mexi-Box]

I'd prefer to see it in Russia.

[jamamb]

for me i want a really lively atmosphere and i worry that theyll be dull as doornails in saudi arabia

also imagine if its in russia and usyk wins

wins the title vs glowacki in poland
defends vs hunter and mhuni in us
defends vs huck in germany
unifies vs bridies in latvia
becomes undisputed vs gassiev in russia

unreal road warrior schedule for a division #1

and if gassiev wins it will be a great celebration

[Lackeos]

There has been ongoing Russian military intervention in Ukraine since 2014. Now the Kremlin wants to play host to a boxing match between top Russian and Ukrainian boxers. I would be inclined to reject their offer. They might try to poison Usyk or something to that effect.

[boxing_rocks]

Saudis don't deserve to have a fight there. It should e Russia, Ukraine or something nearby making financial sense. Ukraine would be more problematic, as they disallow entry for many Russians, for example ones who spent a vacation in Crimea after it changed ownership.

[jamamb]

actually how much do russian ppl in general embrace gassiev? because he sure seemed to be repping that osesstian flag. is he really russian in there eyes

i guess ossesstian still > ukrainian though? or is it

[Best Coast]

The mere fact that Russia wants to push the WBSS Championship back TWO MONTHS will probably be a deal breaker.

BUT...if they put up enough $$$$ they might just be able to pull it off.

[Deleted_Scenes]

I'm not sure having a Ukraine vs Russia boxing match in either Ukraine or Russia is a great idea, given the current political climate in the region... especially where there's a chance the 'home' fighter might lose.

[Romashkin]

It should be a neutral place, but not far from Russia and Ukraine, that fans from both countries could come. Poland would be fine, and Polish boxers could fill the undercard.

[marvelous marv]

The finals were originally slated for May 11 in Jeddah but no venue was ever mentioned. If it was in the stadium that Saudi Arabia uses for FIFA Qualifying, that's an outdoor venue and temps could blow past 100f easily. Also it's difficult for anyone to get a Saudi visa and Yemen recently launched a missile that was intercepted at Jeddah.

Russia would be my vote for the final. They can host it July 14 in a massive stadium the day before the FIFA World Cup Final Game. The entire world will be on hand to witness what could be built into one of the biggest fights of 2018.

[klitoris]

Russia? How would that be fair? Should be at a neutral venue.

[DrDuke]

Neutral place in Europe is a pretty good option, so I've voted for the UK. Germany also could be a good option. Those countries are the biggest boxing centres in Europe. Anyway it looks like Jeddah will not go anywhere.

[dagilechia]

actually how much do russian ppl in general embrace gassiev? because he sure seemed to be repping that osesstian flag. is he really russian in there eyes

i guess ossesstian still > ukrainian though? or is it

Russia has a lot of nationalities so there are 2 terms
Russkij - ethnic Russian, a slav (like Povetkin or Lebedev)
Rossiyanin - citizen of Russia (both slavs, non-slavic muslims, indigenous of Siberia etc, like Gassiev or Provodnikov)

do they embrace him? well, it's like let's say a British or French of African/Arab descent - some embrace them some not, but generally most do

[dagilechia]

It should be a neutral place, but not far from Russia and Ukraine, that fans from both countries could come. Poland would be fine, and Polish boxers could fill the undercard.

oh i would love that and it's a good localization because it's reachable for both Russians/Ukrainians and Western Europeans. maybe again Gdańsk arena where Usyk started his championship road? but 12000 seats seems too few, but in 26 may there will be a boxing event at Warsaw National Stadium (at the event Wach fights vs TBA but one of the possible opponents is Kudryashov, others mentioned are Chisora, Helenius and Jennings, also Ugonoh on the card), it has 56000 seats, i would love that idea, of course its impossible, but i would surely visit this event

[Ruthless-RKO]

oh i would love that and it's a good localization because it's reachable for both Russians/Ukrainians and Western Europeans. maybe again Gdańsk arena where Usyk started his championship road? but 12000 seats seems too few, but in 26 may there will be a boxing event at Warsaw National Stadium (at the event Wach fights vs TBA but one of the possible opponents is Kudryashov, others mentioned are Chisora, Helenius and Jennings, also Ugonoh on the card), it has 56000 seats, i would love that idea, of course its impossible, but i would surely visit this event

How big is the Ergo?

[dagilechia]

oh i would love that and it's a good localization because it's reachable for both Russians/Ukrainians and Western Europeans. maybe again Gdańsk arena where Usyk started his championship road? but 12000 seats seems too few, but in 26 may there will be a boxing event at Warsaw National Stadium (at the event Wach fights vs TBA but one of the possible opponents is Kudryashov, others mentioned are Chisora, Helenius and Jennings, also Ugonoh on the card), it has 56000 seats, i would love that idea, of course its impossible, but i would surely visit this event

How big is the Ergo?

up to 15000, but in may as i said there is scheduled a boxing event on Warsaw national stadium, i guess with the seats on the pitch the capacity could be around 60000

[boxing_rocks]

I doubt Usyk or Gassiev will want to fight in Poland.

[dagilechia]

I doubt Usyk or Gassiev will want to fight in Poland.

of course it's impossible, but idea itself makes sense - big stadium, localization maybe a bit favourable for Usyk (since there are lots of Ukrainians in Poland, at Glowacki Usyk i guess 5-10% of the crowd were Ukrainians) but not bad for Russians too, also not bad localization for Western Europeans.

[Cent0089]

It can be in Zimbabwe, until it will be broadcasted all around the world

[Evander]

Russia should make a play for the fight, makes sense to have it there or somewhere in that region considering the two boxers taking part.

[Ruthless-RKO]

There are arena's in Jeddah..

Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium - 27,000

Prince Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium - 10,000

[candyslim]

It should be a neutral place, but not far from Russia and Ukraine, that fans from both countries could come. Poland would be fine, and Polish boxers could fill the undercard.

That's exactly what I'd been thinking (Poland) because it should be neutral but reachable as you say. I also thought about Minsk but that's not really a fight-city is it?

actually how much do russian ppl in general embrace gassiev? because he sure seemed to be repping that osesstian flag. is he really russian in there eyes

i guess ossesstian still > ukrainian though? or is it

Russia has a lot of nationalities so there are 2 terms
Russkij - ethnic Russian, a slav (like Povetkin or Lebedev)
Rossiyanin - citizen of Russia (both slavs, non-slavic muslims, indigenous of Siberia etc, like Gassiev or Provodnikov)

do they embrace him? well, it's like let's say a British or French of African/Arab descent - some embrace them some not, but generally most do

Thanks for that dagilechia., that's very informative and interesting. I really enjoy how the forum is so very international, I think it is one of its biggest positives.

[dagilechia]

It should be a neutral place, but not far from Russia and Ukraine, that fans from both countries could come. Poland would be fine, and Polish boxers could fill the undercard.

That's exactly what I'd been thinking (Poland) because it should be neutral but reachable as you say. I also thought about Minsk but that's not really a fight-city is it?

actually how much do russian ppl in general embrace gassiev? because he sure seemed to be repping that osesstian flag. is he really russian in there eyes

i guess ossesstian still > ukrainian though? or is it

Russia has a lot of nationalities so there are 2 terms
Russkij - ethnic Russian, a slav (like Povetkin or Lebedev)
Rossiyanin - citizen of Russia (both slavs, non-slavic muslims, indigenous of Siberia etc, like Gassiev or Provodnikov)

do they embrace him? well, it's like let's say a British or French of African/Arab descent - some embrace them some not, but generally most do

Thanks for that dagilechia., that's very informative and interesting. I really enjoy how the forum is so very international, I think it is one of its biggest positives.

that is what i like to see too - this forum becoming more and more international, i guess that there are a lot of people around the world reading this forum but not really posting due to broken english issue, i encourage them to post, it makes this forum better and for them it's also a way to improve their english, i think my english improved significantly here

[gilgamesh]

I want it to take place in May when it's scheduled, so I'd prefer it stay in Jeddah.