Early returns suggest that Richard Schaefer is delivering on his promise of bringing in top fighters for what he is calling Season 1 of his World Boxing Super Series tournaments. Three top cruiserweights have been selected while former titlist and recently unretired Danish superstar Mikkel Kessler is reportedly itching to get in at super middleweight.
Right from the initial announcement it seemed that cruiserweight was an excellent choice for the debut round of these eight man tournaments. The division is very deep with good fighters, yet they have little name recognition and are unlikely to have opportunities more lucrative than a million dollar tournament.
The three announced cruiserweights are IBF titlist Murat Gassiev (24-0, 17 KOs), WBC titlist Mairis Briedis (22-0, 18 KOs), and former titlist Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (53-3-1, 37 KOs). Gassiev and Briedis are especially exciting as they are unbeaten, top five fighters in the division. Wlodarczyk is a good addition too, but more so for the bottom half of the bracket as he is in the latter stages of his career.
No word on the other five fighters or anyone confirmed from super middleweight, though Mikkel Kessler has said he is interested. Announcements should continue coming, however, as the late September, early October kick off window is rapidly approaching. If all goes well, the second rounds will be fought in the first month or so of next year and the finals will be in May.
