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Mairis Briedis

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Mairis Briedis
Born (1985-01-13) 13 January 1985 (age 39)
Riga, Latvia
NationalityLatvian
Other namesThe Latvian Punisher
Statistics
Weight(s)Cruiserweight
Height1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Reach75 in (191 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights27
Wins26
Wins by KO19
Losses1

Mairis Briedis (born 13 January 1985) is a Latvian professional boxer. He is the first Latvian to win a boxing world title, having held the WBC cruiserweight title from 2017 to 2018, and the WBO cruiserweight title in 2019.[1] He was awarded the Order of the Three Stars in 2017.[2] As a professional, he has fought world champions Oleksander Usyk, Marco Huck, Krzysztof Głowacki and Manuel Charr. As of November 2019, he is ranked as the world’s best active cruiserweight by BoxRec, The Ring magazine and the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board.

Professional career

Early career

At the age of 24, after previously serving as a Latvian State Police officer in Rīga, Briedis turned professional in 2009. He racked up multiple wins in his home country and abroad, including a second-round technical knockout (TKO) of former heavyweight title challenger Danny Williams.[3] He captured the IBA cruiserweight title along the way.

Briedis' first fight of note came in 2015, when he moved up in weight and traveled to Russia to face former heavyweight title challenger Manuel Charr. Briedis knocked out his much bigger opponent with a single punch in the fifth round.[4][5][6]

In 2016, Briedis knocked out hard-hitting Nigerian Olanrewaju Durodola in a slug fest, to capture the WBC Silver cruiserweight title.[7][8] This made him the mandatory challenger for the winner of Tony Bellew and Ilunga Makabu.[9] Briedis was ringside for the fight and congratulated the victorious Bellew in his dressing room afterwards.

Briedis then fought in the UK for the first time in a stay busy fight against Simon Vallily on the undercard of Bellew's first title defence against BJ Flores.[10][11][12] Bellew vacated his title in early 2017, meaning the vacant title would be on the line in Briedis' next fight.[13][14][15]

WBC cruiserweight champion

Briedis vs. Huck

Due to Tony Bellew fighting David Haye instead of taking on Briedis, the WBC ordered a match for the WBC interim cruiserweight title between Marco Huck and Briedis. The winner would earn a fight with Bellew for the full WBC title or possibly be elevated to full championship status if Bellew decided to vacate and stay at heavyweight.[16] As Bellew didn't plan to defend his title for a while, he vacated the title in March 2017.[17]

On 1 April 2017 Briedis captured the vacant WBC cruiserweight title by defeating Huck via unanimous decision (UD) (118–109, 117–110, 116–111). Huck was deducted a point after an accidental clash of heads. Briedis was able to outbox the former two-time champion and prevent him from having any success on the inside during the fight. Some boxing pundits had Briedis winning every round in the fight.[18][19][20] The IBO title, previously held by Huck, became vacant due to Briedis not paying the sanctioning fees.[21]

2017–18: World Boxing Super Series

On 2 June 2017 Briedis announced that he would take part in the inaugural World Boxing Super Series (WBSS), where the winner would receive a grand prize as well as the Muhammad Ali Trophy. Briedis described the bracket style tournament as the 'Champions League of boxing'.[22]

Briedis vs. Perez

At the Draft Gala, which took place on 8 July in Monte Carlo, Briedis chose former heavyweight contender Mike Perez (22–2–1, 14 KOs) as his quarter-final opponent. Perez had been out of action for 25 months before moving down to the 200 pound limit division and won his first fight at that weight with a first-round knockout on 10 June 2017.[23] On 22 July, the WBSS announced the fight would take place in Briedis' home country of Latvia at the Rīga Arēna in Riga on 30 September 2017. This was the eighth time Briedis fought at the arena.[24][25]

Briedis defeated Perez by UD over twelve rounds (116–110, 115–111, 114–112). Perez was deducted a point in round three following an accidental clash of heads. Briedis was also docked a point during round ten for excessive holding. With the win, Briedis moved on to the semi-finals to face top-seeded Oleksandr Usyk.[26]

Briedis vs. Usyk

Briedis had the next fight against Usyk (13–0, 11 KOs), following the latter's win over Marco Huck.[27][28] In November 2017, it was reported the fight would take place on 27 January 2018 in Riga, Latvia, a week before Gassiev vs. Dorticos would take place.[29] Arēna Rīga was confirmed as the location by Comosa's Chief Boxing Officer Kalle Sauerland.[30] Usyk came in at 199.5 pounds and Briedis weighed 199.1 pounds.[31] Usyk moved on to the final of the tournament after defeating Briedis via majority decision (MD). With a high work rate, Usyk controlled most of the fight with his jab, putting on pressure when needed. Briedis was credited with landing the harder punches. The opening four rounds where closely contested and Usyk was cut from a head-butt over his right eye in round three. From round five, Usyk became busier and took control of the fight, although he was still hit with some hard shots to the head from Briedis. One judge scored the fight 114–114, whilst the remaining two judges scored the fight 115–113 in favour of Usyk. After the fight, Usyk stated it was the hardest fight of his career.[32][33] According to CompuBox stats, Usyk landed 212 of 848 punches thrown (25%) and Briedis was more accurate, landing 195 of his 579 thrown (33.7%). Usyk landed 40% of his power punches.[34] Many boxers and pundits praised the fight.[35]

Reserve fight

On 28 June 2018, Briedis began training for his next bout, which was speculated to take place on the undercard of the WBSS final on 21 July at the Olympic Stadium in Moscow.[36] His opponent was later announced to be French boxer Brandon Deslaurier (11–1–1, 1 KO). Briedis was also confirmed as the WBSS final substitute in case either Usyk or Murat Gassiev could not compete. The bout with Deslaurier was scheduled for ten rounds.[37] Briedis went the ten round distance, defeating Deslaurier via UD. All three judges scored the fight 100–90.[38]

2018–19: World Boxing Super Series

In August 2018, Briedis, along with Yuniel Dorticos, entered a second edition of the WBSS. Unlike the inaugural tournament, there was no world champions, as Usyk had unified all the titles. Mateusz Masternak, Krzysztof Głowacki and Maxim Vlasov were other top contenders to join.[39]

Briedis vs. Gevor

As the #1 seed, Briedis chose to fight German boxer Noel Gevor (23–1, 10 KOs).[40] On 26 September, it was announced that the Briedis vs. Gevor bout, along with the Głowacki vs. Vlasov would take place as a doubleheader on 10 November at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, US.[41]

Briedis vs. Głowacki

On 15 Jun 2019 Briedis won the WBO cruiserweight title in a controversial fight against Głowacki (31–1, 19 KOs). Briedis won by TKO in the third round but appeared to intentionally foul his opponent with an elbow strike after being hit on the back of the neck in the second. The WBO's report on the fight also stated that the referee Robert Byrd made "multiple errors" in officiating the fight and ordered a rematch.[42] Briedis was later stripped of the title after refusing to defend it in a direct rematch fight with Głowacki rather than proceeding with the WBSS tournament Final.

Briedis vs. Dorticos

Briedis is scheduled to face Yuniel Dorticos on 16 May in Riga for the WBSS tournament final.

Professional boxing record

27 fights 26 wins 1 loss
By knockout 19 0
By decision 7 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
27 Win 26–1 Poland Krzysztof Głowacki TKO 3 (12), 0:27 15 Jun 2019 Latvia Arēna Rīga, Riga, Latvia Won WBO cruiserweight title;
World Boxing Super Series: Cruiserweight semi-final
26 Win 25–1 Germany Noel Gevor UD 12 10 Nov 2018 United States UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. World Boxing Super Series: Cruiserweight quarter-final
25 Win 24–1 France Brandon Deslaurier UD 10 21 Jul 2018 Russia Olympic Stadium, Moscow, Russia
24 Loss 23–1 Ukraine Oleksandr Usyk MD 12 27 Jan 2018 Latvia Arēna Rīga, Rīga, Latvia Lost WBC cruiserweight title;
For WBO cruiserweight title;
World Boxing Super Series: Cruiserweight semi-final
23 Win 23–0 Cuba Mike Perez UD 12 30 Sep 2017 Latvia Arēna Rīga, Rīga, Latvia Retained WBC cruiserweight title;
World Boxing Super Series: Cruiserweight quarter-finals
22 Win 22–0 Germany Marco Huck UD 12 1 Apr 2017 Germany Westfalenhallen, Dortmund, Germany Won vacant WBC and IBO cruiserweight titles
21 Win 21–0 United Kingdom Simon Vallily TKO 3 (8), 2:36 15 Oct 2016 United Kingdom Echo Arena, Liverpool, England
20 Win 20–0 Nigeria Olanrewaju Durodola TKO 9 (12), 2:58 14 May 2016 Latvia Arēna Rīga, Rīga, Latvia Won WBC Silver cruiserweight title
19 Win 19–0 South Africa Danie Venter TKO 2 (12), 2:05 21 Feb 2016 Latvia Arēna Rīga, Rīga, Latvia Won vacant IBF Inter-Continental cruiserweight title
18 Win 18–0 Hungary László Hubert TKO 2 (6), 2:42 6 Nov 2015 Germany Palais, Frankfurt, Germany
17 Win 17–0 Syria Manuel Charr KO 5 (10), 2:55 22 Aug 2015 Russia Akhmat-Arena, Grozny, Russia
16 Win 16–0 Germany Emre Altintas TKO 2 (6), 1:35 28 Jun 2015 Germany Fruchthalle, Kaiserslautern, Germany
15 Win 15–0 Germany Björn Blaschke TKO 4 (6), 1:45 10 Apr 2015 Germany Kongress Und Sportzentrum, Hessen, Germany
14 Win 14–0 Belgium Ismail Abdoul UD 12 14 Nov 2014 Latvia Olympic Hall, Liepāja, Latvia Retained IBA cruiserweight title
13 Win 13–0 Hungary Csaba Faur KO 1 (6), 1:45 26 Sep 2014 Germany Palais, Frankfurt, Germany
12 Win 12–0 Uganda Joey Vegas TKO 9 (10), 1:09 26 Jul 2014 Latvia Ķīpsala Exhibition Centre, Rīga, Latvia Won vacant WBC Baltic cruiserweight title
11 Win 11–0 Czech Republic Luboš Šuda RTD 5 (12), 3:00 22 Nov 2013 Latvia Olympic Hall, Liepāja, Latvia Won vacant IBA cruiserweight title
10 Win 10–0 France Jérémy Ouanna UD 8 5 Jul 2013 Greece Olympic Hall, Porto Carras, Greece
9 Win 9–0 United States Jonathan Felton TKO 2 (6), 2:41 14 Jun 2013 United States The Ritz, Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 United Kingdom Danny Williams TKO 2 (6), 1:09 23 Mar 2013 Latvia Arēna Rīga, Rīga, Latvia
7 Win 7–0 Germany Marko Angermann TKO 2 (6), 2:38 20 Oct 2012 Latvia Arēna Rīga, Rīga, Latvia
6 Win 6–0 Hungary József Nagy TKO 2 (6), 1:07 16 Jun 2012 Latvia Sports Complex Majori, Jūrmala, Latvia
5 Win 5–0 Lithuania Ruslan Siniavskij TKO 1 (6), 2:50 24 Mar 2012 Latvia Arēna Rīga, Rīga, Latvia
4 Win 4–0 Latvia Andrejs Naglis KO 2 (6), 0:25 8 Oct 2011 Latvia Arēna Rīga, Rīga, Latvia
3 Win 3–0 Croatia Josip Jalušić TKO 1 (6) 2 Jun 2011 Latvia Arēna Rīga, Rīga, Latvia
2 Win 2–0 Hungary Gábor Zsalek TKO 1 (6), 3:00 12 Jun 2010 Poland Hala Sportowa, Krynica Zdrój, Poland
1 Win 1–0 Lithuania Raulis Racilauskas UD 4 11 Oct 2009 Latvia Rīga Hanza Secondary School, Rīga, Latvia

Briedis logo and brand

Briedis surname stands for "Stag" in the Latvian language which is where his logo comes from.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ Boxrec. "Mairis Briedis". Boxrec Fighter Page.
  2. ^ "Latvian luminaries receive civil honors". Public Broadcasting of Latvia. LETA. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  3. ^ "Mairis Briedis - Danny Williams - Новости бокса от Александра Колесникова". Новости бокса от Александра Колесникова (in Russian). Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  4. ^ Kas Tad Tas (2015-08-22), MAIRIS BRIEDIS VS MANUEL CHARR | FULL FIGHT | HD | 21 08 2015, retrieved 2017-07-10
  5. ^ "Mairis Briedis With Brutal One Punch KO of Manuel Charr - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  6. ^ "Manuel Charr sparked by undefeated Mairis Briedis". Ring News 24. 2015-08-23. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  7. ^ "Briedis, Durodola set for 5/14 WBC eliminator". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  8. ^ "Briedis stops Durodola to earn WBC title shot". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  9. ^ Константин Глазов (2016-07-31), Mairis Briedis vs Olanrewaju Durodola, retrieved 2017-07-10
  10. ^ "Mairis Briedis vs. Simon Vallily is Set For Bellew-Flores Card - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  11. ^ Kas Tad Tas (2016-10-15), Mairis Briedis vs Simon Vallily | FULL FIGHT 15.10.2016, retrieved 2017-07-10
  12. ^ "Bellew vs Flores: Mairis Briedis stops Simon Vallily to set up Tony Bellew clash". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  13. ^ "Tony Bellew becomes emeritus champion as Marco Huck battles Mairis Briedis for WBC belt". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  14. ^ "Tony Bellew: WBC makes British cruiserweight its Emeritus Champion". BBC Sport. 2017-03-30. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  15. ^ "Briedis-Huck to fight for cruiserweight title". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  16. ^ "WBC orders Marco Huck vs. Mairis Briedis". December 14, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
  17. ^ "Briedis-Huck Now For Full WBC Title, Bellew Made Emeritus Champ".
  18. ^ "Mairis Briedis v Marco Huck: Tony Bellew's WBC cruiserweight title claimed by Latvian". BBC Sport. 2017-04-01. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  19. ^ "Mairis Briedis a comfortable winner in WBC cruiserweight clash with Marco Huck". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  20. ^ "Mairis Briedis Decisions Marco Huck For WBC, IBO Titles - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  21. ^ "Ex-Weltmeister steht mit leeren Händen da | Kein IBO-Titel für Huck – Verband: Gürtel ist vakant". sportbild.de (in German). Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  22. ^ "Gassiev, Briedis, Wlodarczyk Ink With World Boxing Super Series - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  23. ^ "Usyk-Huck, Groves-Cox headline Super Series". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  24. ^ "Mairis Briedis-Mike Perez set for September 30 - The Ring". The Ring. 2017-07-22. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
  25. ^ "Mairis Briedis vs. Mike Perez on September 30 in Latvia - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
  26. ^ "Mairis Briedis Decisions Mike Perez, Set To Fight Usyk Next - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2017-11-27.
  27. ^ "Usyk vs Briedis fight may happen on January 20". ringside24.com. Retrieved 2017-10-03.
  28. ^ "Briedis: I would like to fight Usyk in Riga". ringside24.com. Retrieved 2017-10-03.
  29. ^ "Gassiev-Dorticos & Usyk-Briedis WBSS semifinal dates » Boxing News". Boxing News 24. 2017-11-26. Retrieved 2017-11-27.
  30. ^ Briedis, Usyk v. "Usyk v Briedis unification / WBSS semi-final set for Riga on Jan 27". WBN - World Boxing News. Retrieved 2017-12-06.
  31. ^ "Photos: Usyk, Briedis Ready For WBSS Unification Showdown". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2018-01-27.
  32. ^ "Usyk Decisions Briedis in Tough Fight To Unify WBC, WBO Titles". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2018-01-28.
  33. ^ "World Boxing Super Series: Oleksandr Usyk beats Mairis Briedis on points in semi-final". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2018-01-28.
  34. ^ "Usyk vs. Briedis - CompuBox Punch Stats". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2018-01-28.
  35. ^ "People Were Very Impressed With Usyk vs Briedis World Title Fight". Boxing News and Views. 2018-01-28. Retrieved 2018-01-28.
  36. ^ "Mairis Briedis Training For Return on Usyk-Gassiev Card". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2018-07-07.
  37. ^ "Mairis Briedis vs. Brandon Deslaurier on Usyk-Gassiev Card". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2018-07-07.
  38. ^ "Usyk-Gassiev Results: Briedis Wins, Ponomarev Shocked". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2018-07-24.
  39. ^ "Mairis Briedis, Yunier Dorticos rejoin WBSS for Season 2". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  40. ^ "Former world titleholders in WBSS Season 2". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  41. ^ "Briedis vs. Mikaelian, Glowacki vs. Vlasov - Nov. 10 in Chicago". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  42. ^ "WBO orders rematch between Briedis, Glowacki". ESPN.com. October 26, 2019.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Rakhim Chakhkiev
WBC Baltic cruiserweight champion
26 July 2014 – September 2014
Vacated
Vacant
Vacant
Title last held by
Murat Gassiev
IBF Inter-Continental cruiserweight champion
21 February 2016 – May 2016
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Krzysztof Włodarczyk
Preceded by WBC Silver cruiserweight champion
14 May 2016 – October 2016
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Dmitry Kudryashov
Minor world boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Bobby Gunn
IBA cruiserweight champion
22 November 2013 – April 2015
Vacated
Vacant
Major world boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Tony Bellew
WBC cruiserweight champion
1 April 2017 – 27 January 2018
Succeeded by
Preceded by WBO cruiserweight champion
June 15 – October 25, 2019
Stripped
Vacant