It happened. An undisputed heavyweight champion of the world has been crowned. Oleksandr Usyk (22-0) has made history, like those before him. An entertaining, back-and-forth bout resulted in a split-decision victory for the Ukrainian.
But, aside from the remarkable main event, the ‘Ring of Fire’ produced upsets, standouts and spectacles at every turn.
The Upsets: Anthony Cacace and Robin Sirwin Safar
The task of being an opponent to Sergey ‘Krusher’ Kovalev (35-5-1) is no easy one. In Saudi Arabia, this task was given to Swedish-born, Vegas-based fighter Robin Sirwin Safar (17-0).
Despite being 41-years-of-age and having had a big lay-off, it was suggested by many that the Russian ‘Krusher’ would have somewhat of a career resurgence in the cruiserweight division, especially against such an unknown quantity as Safar.
However, the young Swede saw it as a chance; a chance that he took in style. It was a perfect overlap as Kovalev was a spectre of his former self. Maintaining a solid chin, Kovalev could not carry his power through the divisions and his movement was lacklustre, having to use clinches to stall the pressure-punching youngster.
Of course, it could be suggested that Safar did not increase the pace until too late in the bout, although his work-rate commanded respect throughout. Certainly, this was the case with the judges, who scored the bout 95-94, 99-90 and 97-92.
Now, where do the two men go from here?
Well, Kovalev, who has had a long and lofty career, should certainly retire; he has given so much to the sport and to see someone like the ‘Krusher’ get crushed once more would be distressing for fight fans, to say the least.
Safar, on the other hand, is in somewhat of a bind. With a name like Kovalev’s on his record, this will certainly be opening up the eyes of the cruiserweight division to the Swedish Safar, whether he likes it or not. It was not a pitch-perfect performance from the young fighter and it would be wise for Safar to gain more experience against European level competition first; perhaps the winner of Issac Chamberlain (16-2) and Jack Massey (21-2).
Either way, with such a statement performance on such a big stage, given the knockdown at the end of the fight, it will only be a matter of time before Safar gets opportunities galore.
The major upset of the night, however, came by way of Irish power-puncher Anthony Cacace (22-1) who channelled the rough and dirty spirit of prizefighting to render ‘The Welsh Wizard’ Joe Cordina (17-1) weak at the knees.
A controversial bout, due to the languid inactivity of referee Bob Williams, Cordina would continue to be caught in the maddening flurries of the furious ‘Apache’, flailing up and down from the canvas with each successive attack.
Whether one is to believe that the fight should’ve been called off or Cacace should’ve been penalised, it does not change the fact that Cacace will return to Ireland with the IBF and IBO straps around his waist.
It is highly likely that Cordina, as well as manager-promoter Eddie Hearn, will push for a rematch and, be it in Ireland or Wales, this would be a massive domestic show that is guaranteed to generate numbers.
Alternatively, Cordina could make the move back up to lightweight and try and find success in that division, or even push for a fight with another well-established super featherweight; perhaps another all-British showdown against someone like Zelfa Barrett (31-2).
For Cacace, as a belt holder, it will only be a matter of time before a massive opportunity comes the way of the Belfast native. One can only wonder how Cacace would fare in brawls against the likes of WBC champion O’Shaquie Foster (22-2) or Lamont Roach (24-1-1).
The Standouts: Mark Chamberlain and Mairis Briedis
His Excellency’s favourite fighter took to the Kingdom once again to deliver a performance that was even more devastating than his last. Mark Chamberlain (16-0), the builder-turned-boxer from Portsmouth put on a demolition job worthy of the nickname ‘Thunder’, felling the ‘The Wealth Machine’ Joshua Wahab (23-2) within the first round.
Earning the WBC Silver belt in the process, Chamberlain displayed strength and discipline in equal measure, eliminating any threat the Ghana-native could hope to pose from the opening bell.
If the word statement is to be used in regard to performances, this was a statement from Chamberlain, who has now positioned himself within the WBC, with its current lightweight champion being the excellent by inactive Shakur Stevenson (21-0).
Wahab, on the other hand, would be much more comfortable in his natural weight class of super featherweight; perhaps he could position himself to once again fight for the prestigious Commonwealth title.
Another surprising standout would be that of Mairis Briedis (28-3). Going into the bout, it was perceived by pundits that inactivity and age would plague the Latvian former champion. Since his 2022 loss to Jai Opetaia (25-0), his antics outside of the ring have also positioned him as less than favourable, chasing Jake Paul for a money-fight and embarrassing himself with a tattoo that failed to get the attention of the Los Angeles based influencer-boxer.
Yet, entering the ‘Ring of Fire’, Briedis looked as though he had turned back the clock. Struggling through nine rounds of ring-rust, in which his opponent did very little to press the action, Briedis would wipe his bloodied nose clean and begin to bring the action, pushing Opetaia from his position of comfort with intense power-punches that left the Aussie clinching for safety.
The championship rounds were all Briedis’ to take, despite Opetaia’s early dominance. This dominance, however, would give Opetaia the rightful win – and his IBF strap once again. Despite this, many praised Briedis for his seeming return to form and, unlike Kovalev, Briedis proved that he still had fight and heart left within him.
The Latvian may never again get a belt around his waist, but he certainly proved that he deserves to fight at the highest level for a little while longer.
The Firestarters: Moses Itauma and Agit Kabayel
In the two other heavyweight bouts on the undercard, the two winners have highlighted themselves as potential firestarters in the future of the division.
The older of the two, 31-year-old Agit Kabayel (25-0) carried with him the energy of the ‘Day of Reckoning’, in which he dismantled Russian prospect Arslanbek Makhmudov (18-1). Again, the Saudi’s pit the German underdog against another dangerous prospect in ‘Cuban Flash’ Frank Sanchez (24-1).
Holding the WBC Continental Americas and WBO NABO Heavyweight titles and undefeated against such future hopefuls as Efe Ajagba (20-1), Sanchez was seen to be a quiet but powerful killer in the ring, someone with too many attributes beyond Kabayel.
However, Kabayel had already upset the odds. With blistering body attacks and constant, belligerent pressure, he would do it again. Seemingly effortless, Kabayel would expend little-to-no energy in wearing out the ‘Flash’ in an impressive display of heavyweight stamina.
Given the nature of the bout as a WBC eliminator, it may only take a year or two for Kabayel to be able to challenge at the highest level of the sport. Alternatively, he could put it all on the line against someone like Joseph Parker (35-3), who holds the WBO Interim title and who commentated on the fight.
As for Frank Sanchez, the Reynoso-trained fighter is sure to make a return, perhaps against someone like Makhmudov.
Although, an even younger heavyweight prospect may have different ideas, after his destruction of Kazakh fighter Ilja Mezencev (25-4).
Moses Itauma (9-0), heralded as a future key player on boxing’s premier division by the likes of Joseph Parker and Tyson Fury (34-1-1), put on a devastating, determined and dedicated performance against the Germany-based Mezencev.
Itauma looked comfortable and collected as Ben Davidson prepared him for a lightning quick fight on the biggest night of his career thus far. Mezencev, on the other hand, looked nervous – more nervous than his seemingly great record would suggest.
To his credit, Mezencev started well, with an unorthodox, bouncy style that made Itauma wait. Late in the first round, however, the 19-year-old would pounce. In the heat of the exchange, Itauma would push Mezencev to the canvas, which provided the fighter with an opportunity to escape into the next round. Itauma, however, could smell blood.
In the second, he would thoroughly dispose of his opposition in order to claim the first of many belts in his career; the WBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight strap. With this, the young Itauma has positioned himself perfectly to make moves within the heavyweight division. It is the hope of Frank Warren that Itauma soon challenges for the British, Commonwealth and European titles, far more prestigious than the WBO Inter-Continental trinket.
And so, ultimately, the ‘Ring of Fire’ proved to be as incendiary as the title would suggest; from start to finish, answering questions and providing new ones in its wake.
