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Photos: Murat Gassiev Blasts Out Krzysztof Wlodarczyk in Three

Published Sun Oct 22, 2017, 11:36 AM

Unbeaten IBF Cruiserweight World Champion Murat Gassiev (25-0, 18 KOs) delivered a dominant third round knockout Saturday night against former champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (53-4-1, 37 KOs)in their World Boxing Super Series quarter-final matchup from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. and on AUDIENCE Network. Photos by Stephanie Trapp/Ring Star.

With the victory, Gassiev sets up a WBSS cruiserweight semi-final showdown with WBA champion Yunier Dorticos, who was in attendance Saturday night.

Gassiev stalked his opponent around the ring for much of the three round fight, looking to land a big combination while Wlodarczyk was steadfastly in retreat mode. The former two-time champion threw very little other than his jab and was unable to break through and hurt Gassiev at any point in the action.

In round three, Gassiev closed the distance and began to land on Wlodarczyk eventually shooting a left uppercut and then left hook to the body combo that ended with Wlodaczyk laying on the canvas. Referee Albert Brown officially counted Wlodarczyk out at 1:57 of the third round.

In the WBSS cruiserweight reserve match, Mateusz Masternak (40-4, 26 KOs) stopped Stivens Bujaj (16-2-1, 11 KOs) on the advice of the ringside doctor after seven rounds of action.

Bujaj tried to use his elusiveness to jab and avoid big shots from Masternak and had some success early on. Bujaj frequently used head and body movement to parry the attacking Masternak.

The fourth round saw Masternak begin to break through with powerful right hands to the side of Bujaj's head. Masternak continued to stalk Bujaj around the ring and had his most success pinning Bujaj in the corner.

Masternak's power finally broke through in the seventh round when he connected with another right hand, this one sending Bujaj to the canvas. Bujaj rose to his feet and survived the round, but not before taking more punishment from Masternak. Bujaj's corner had seen enough and stopped the fight after seven rounds.