Mairis Briedis (27-1, 19 KOs) and Artur Mann (17-1, 9 KOs) both made weight today ahead of their IBF and Ring Magazine World Cruiserweight Title showdown tomorrow night at the Arena Riga in Latvia.
Photo Credit: Mikus Klavins/ Wasserman Boxing
Briedis returns to his hometown arena for the first time in over two years to defend the belts he claimed when defeating Yuniel Dorticos in the final of the World Boxing Super Series Cruiserweight tournament in September 2020.
The 36-year-old will face a tough test against German challenger Mann, the IBF #6 and former WBO International Champion, who will be looking to dethrone the Latvian boxing king and take his place at the top of the 200lbs division.
IBF and Ring Magazine World Cruiserweight Championship:
Mairis Briedis: 90kg
Artur Mann: 90.2kg
Middleweight – 8 Rounds:
Jevgenijs Aleksejevs: 73.3kg
Pavel Semjonov: 72kg
Super Middleweight – 4 Rounds:
Francis Rozentals: 76kg
Topias Lepo: 75.5kg
Heavyweight – 6 Rounds:
Bogdan Mironecs: 99.8kg
David Spilmont: 117.4kg
Super Lightweight – 8 Rounds:
Harlem Eubank: 64kg
Nika Nakashidze: 64.5kg
Welterweight – 6 Rounds:
Sergejs Marcenko: 66.5kg
Rasmus Bergman: 66.8kg
Cruiserweight – 6 Rounds:
Milans Volkovs: 90.9kg
Ermin Advic: 91.4kg
Heavyweight – 6 Rounds:
Dmitro Bezus: 124.9kg
Ferenc Urban: 93.6kg
Light Middleweight – 6 Rounds:
Emil Spiss: 72kg
Janos Vass: 64.3kg
Light Middleweight – 4 Rounds:
Toms Limbens: 72.5kg
Siarhei Krapshyla: TBA
BRIEDIS-MANN FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE – QUOTES
Mairis Briedis (27-1, 19 KOs) and Artur Mann (17-1, 9 KOs) met today at the final pre-fight press conference ahead of their IBF and Ring Magazine World Cruiserweight Title contest on Saturday night at the Arena Riga in Latvia.
Briedis, who is back in action following his World Boxing Super Series winning performance against Yuniel Dorticos in September 2020, returns to his hometown arena for the first time in over two years to defend his belts against the former WBO International Champion and IBO World Title challenger.
At today’s press conference at the Porsche Centre in Riga, promoter Kalle Sauerland revealed that Saturday’s World Title showdown could be the last time Latvian fans see their local hero Briedis boxing on home soil.
“This weekend is of course going to be a special event as Mairis Briedis defends his World Titles in front of a red-hot atmosphere at the Arena Riga, but it is also going to be an emotional one,” said Sauerland. “I have informed the team that this is going to be Mairis’ last ever appearance in his native Latvia as 2022 will mean us going on the road in order to unify the division.”
“If this is my last fight in Latvia then this has given me additional motivation,” said Briedis. “I will make sure I give everyon at Arena Riga a night to remember. Boxing in Latvia is fantastic. This is my home and fighting here is special. I’ve boxed all over the world, including in the United States, but nowhere is as good as here. I will make sure I enjoy this evening with my fans.”
Looking to spoil the party is German challenger Mann, who having turned 31 on Monday, will be hoping to celebrate with a victory on Saturday night.
“I am very motivated,” said Mann. “I’ve been training hard since the day I received a call about this fight. This is the most important thing for me right now. I will give everything in the ring and I hope on Saturday I will succeed.”
Artur Mann’s (17-1, 9 KOs) coach Vitali Boot believes his fighter has the power to hurt Mairis Briedis (27-1, 19 KOs) when they meet for the IBF and Ring Magazine World Cruiserweight Titles on October 16 at the Arena Riga in Latvia.
Mann, the former WBO International Champion and IBO World Cruiserweight Title challenger, travels to Riga to take on reigning world champion Brieids in his hometown following an explosive KO victory over Rad Rashid.
Helping the challenger prepare is long-time coach and mentor Boot, a seven-time German national Super Heavyweight champion and 2001 World Amateur Championship bronze medallist, who now trains fighters out of the Olympic Headquarters in Hannover, Germany.
“Artur has the power to hurt Briedis,” says Boot. “Any boxer who is almost 100kg has the power to hurt his opponent and Briedis is only human so yes, I believe Artur can hurt him.
“He will need to be highly concentrated during the whole fight, stick to the game plan and keep ahead of the situation even when under pressure.
“He won’t be concerned about fighting away from home or having the fans against him. He has had that over and over again in his career so this is not new for him.
“Artur’s greatest strength is his technical ability. He’s like a sponge, you show him something new and he can implement it in his work in a split second.
“I have been training Artur more or less since he started boxing. This is a big opportunity for him and one I believe he will take. On October 16, we will see a new world champion.”
Mairis Briedis defends his IBF and Ring Magazine World Cruiserweight Titles against Artur Mann on October 16 at the Arena Riga in Latvia. Tickets are on sale now and available to purchase via https://www.bilesuserviss.lv.