Depsite an announcement being made by the WBSS organizers of the showpiece being held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Secretary Umar Kremlev is aiming to persuade Comosa AG to have a change of heart.
Asked to reveal the main reason behind their WBSS finale attempts, Kremlev exclusively told World Boxing News: “As the Head of the Russian Boxing Federation, it is my duty to bring the biggest boxing events to Russia.
“I think that we have perfectly coped with holding the semi-final (Gassiev v Yunier Dorticos) of the World Boxing Super Series in Sochi last February. I believe that Moscow will be an excellent venue for the grandiose boxing event.
“Our task is to bring to Russia as many world-class fights as possible, even where there will not be representatives of Russia among the participants.
“Our country is already one of the leading in the world of boxing, but we want to make it the country number one, and for this, we need big boxing events here in Russia.”
With the final being between a Ukrainian and a Russian in Usyk and Gassiev, Kremlev addressed what could be seen as a political move.
“Russians and Ukrainians are fraternal peoples, so of course this fight will be very interesting. For us in this confrontation there is no politics, it is a sport and nothing more.
“Of course, if the enemy was not an enemy of Gassiev, this fight would be even more interesting. Since we do not particularly like to fight the fraternal people and we would still be just as interested in hosting the finals in Moscow.”
Should Russia be successful, Kremlev was keen to point out there was no desire to gain an advantage for their own fighter, in unified title holder Gassiev.
“The fight will be for all four belts of the world champions at cruiserweight,” he pointed out as Usyk holds the WBO and WBC, whilst Gassiev is the WBA and IBF ruler.
“It is also for the Mohammad Ali Trophy, this means no one will even dare to judge objectively. in addition, all four world boxing organizations will control this event.
“This is an international event in which the whole world is looking to see at what high level we are able to carry out activities of a global scale.
“We are interested in holding, together with the Super Series, the semi-finals in Russia next season – including the final, regardless of whether the representative of our country will fight in it or not.
“In the near future in Russia there will be many more world-class fights,” added Kremlev.
Dates in May were originally targeted for both the 200 pound and super-middleweight finals. although a delay is expected due to several factors – including an injury to 168lb finalist George Groves.
