Yunier Dorticos (22-1, 21 KOs) promises fireworks in Season II of the World Boxing Super Series, and he vows to begin in ‘KO Doctor’ mode in the Cruiserweight Quarter-Final against Mateusz Masternak in Orlando, Florida on Saturday.
The Miami-based Cuban fighter is on a mission: He wants to convert a bitter KO defeat in last season’s semi-final to Murat Gassiev to being the man with the ‘Greatest Prize in Boxing’ in his hands.
“I am back to prove to the world and to the World Boxing Super Series what I am all about. Winning the Muhammad Ali Trophy will be one of the biggest achievements I will accomplish,” said Dorticos.
“I am extremely happy, excited and thankful to have been chosen once again for the second season of the WBSS. I have learned from my defeat in Season 1 and I am coming back stronger than ever. All I look forward to is taking home the trophy with me this season.”
‘The KO Doctor’ tasted his own medicine against Gassiev, but he is determined to come back and show boxing fans that he is still one of the biggest players in the 200 lb division.
“The defeat to Gassiev hurt, but when you get knocked down you get up again. You train harder and make sure it doesn’t happen again,” said Dorticos.
“Everyone that has seen me knows I’m an exciting price fighter with superb boxing skills and power in both of my hands, I leave it all in the ring for my fans.”
“My aggressive firework style it’s what my fans and boxing fans all over the world want to see.”
Dorticos has an impressive 91% KO ratio, and he expects to prescribe all his powers to improve the statistics when meeting Poland’s Mateusz Masternak (41-4, 28 KOs) October 20 at the CFE Arena in Orlando, Florida.
“When I look at Masternak, I already see a man with KO written in his face,” said Dorticos. “Believe me the knockout is coming. I am going to KO everyone in front of me in this season.”
The winner of Dorticos vs Masternak faces USA’s Andrew Tabiti who beat Russia’s Ruslan Fayfer unanimously on points in their quarter-final in Ekaterinburg, Russia.
The second Ali Trophy quarter-final bout of the huge night of boxing October 20 at the CFE Arena, Orlando, Fl., USA is an IBF World Bantamweight Championship clash between Puerto Rico’s Emmanuel Rodriguez and Australia’s Jason Moloney.
Tickets for the WBSS Quarter-Finals – Rodriguez vs Moloney & Dorticos vs Masternak – starting from $30 (plus fees) are on sale at TicketMaster.com.
Masternak: “People say this is my time, this is my moment”
Poland’s Mateusz ‘Master’ Masternak gets huge support from fans in his home country before the Ali Trophy Cruiserweight Quarter-Final against Yunier Dorticos October 20 at the CFE Arena, Orlando, USA.
“I feel appreciated and honoured to be part of the World Boxing Super Series,” said Masternak. “It’s a big thing to be part of this group of eight great boxers. For me, this is a huge opportunity that I want to use.”
Mateusz Masternak, 31, from Wroclaw, Poland is a former EBU (European) Cruiserweight champion. His dangerous right hand and accurate hooks are known and respected by everyone in the division.
In 2014 he fought for the WBA Interim World Cruiserweight Championship and lost via split decision to DR Congo’s Youri Kayembre Kalenga. The defeat was exchanged to a TKO victory in round six after a dominating performance when the pair fought for WBO’s European title this year in April. Now Masternak eyes the chance to finally reach the highest top.
“Few people count on me in the world, but I believe that I will be able to win the tournament, although I know that a very difficult task is ahead of me because in this group of eight there are no weak fighters and everyone wants to win,” said Masternak.
“Polish fans are normally very divided when it comes to me. Some believe in me, others strongly criticize me and don’t give me a chance. But now, before this fight, I get a lot of nice and warm words and a lot of people say that now it’s my time, now it’s my moment to prove to the whole world that I can beat the best fighters out there.”
‘Master’ admits the challenge is big when he faces Season I sensation, Miami-based Cuban Yunier Dorticos, who is among the favorites to take home the Muhammad Ali Trophy in the upcoming season.
“Dorticos is a very good boxer, presenting a good Cuban boxing school, and he has a very strong punch. In Poland he is known and valued for his great fights in the first edition of the tournament, winning against Kudryashov and for his big heart in the fight against Gassiev,” said the Polish hardhitter.
“I believe I will beat Dorticos. I’m clever, I’m experienced … and you’ll see the rest in the ring because we have a very good plan.”
Tickets for the WBSS Quarter-Finals – Rodriguez vs Moloney & Dorticos vs Masternak – starting from $30 (plus fees) are on sale at TicketMaster.com.
