On June 15th, 2019, Yuniel Dorticos (25-1) and Andrew Tabiti (17-1) collided in the World Boxing Super Series semi-finals. In a competitive fight, Dorticos was up on all 3 of the cards heading into the 10th round. Dorticos ended finishing off Tabiti with one of 2019's Knockout of the Year candidates and captured the vacant IBF cruiserweight title in the process.
Next up for Dorticos is a showdown against Mairis Briedis in the WBSS finals. The date has been postponed multiple times and is unknown at the moment due to the covid-19 pandemic.
Tabititi and Mayweather Promotions' CEO Leonard Ellerbe recently appeared on a Mayweather Promotions Instagram Live stream and answered questions from fans.
One of the questions asked of Tabiti was who is the hardest puncher he has ever faced. Not surprisingly, he said it was the only man to have defeated him in the pro ranks.
"The hardest puncher I ever faced - you can go by say my last fight. I haven't really gotten hit too much in my career but you can probably say from my last fight, Dorticos. Speaking on that, I would definitely love to get a rematch. That is one of my future goals to get a rematch on that fight," said Tabiti.
A rematch probably wouldn't be possible until sometime next year assuming that Dorticos-Briedis can take place in the third or fourth quarter of 2020.
Ellerbe is in agreement with his fighter and believes that a rematch is very possible.
"I would definitely like to see you get that back. Again, we wish him nothing but the best in his next fight whenever that comes off. We have a very good relationship with his team and we will see what we can come up with," Ellerbe told Tabiti.
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