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Steve KimESPN
The World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight finals between Yuniel Dorticos and Mairis Briedis, which was set for May 16 in Riga, Latvia, has been canceled.
The bout had been originally scheduled for March 21, but it was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The organization released this statement: “WBSS is monitoring the developing COVID-19 situation. Under the current circumstances, a feasible date for the WBSS Cruiserweight Final between Mairis Briedis and Yuniel Dorticos is out of reach.”
There is currently a state of emergency in Latvia till at least May 12, with other containment measures that have been put into place.
Dorticos-Briedis is a matchup of two of the elite cruiserweights in the world, both of whom have held world titles in the past. Dorticos, reached the finals of this tournament by scoring a 12 round decision over Mateusz Masternak, and then stopping Andrew Tabiti in two rounds. Breidis defeated Noel Gevor over 12 rounds, and then halted Krzysztof Glowacki in three to reach the WBSS finals, which will once again, have to wait.
“Our top priority is to protect the health and safety of the boxers, fans, officials, and staff involved in the World Boxing Super Series. WBSS will inform further as the situation develops,” said the WBSS.