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.

Dates and venues for the six weeks of Ali Trophy quarter-final action this autumn:

1. October 7th, Yokohama Arena, Yokohama, Japan – Ali Trophy Quarter-Finals
Naoya Inoue (Japan) vs. Juan Carlos Payano (Dominican Republic)
WBA ‘Regular’ Bantamweight Championship 
&
Kiryl Relikh (Belarus) vs. Eduard Troyanovsky (Russia).
WBA Super-Lightweight Championship 

2. October 13th,  Ali Trophy Quarter-Finals 
TBA

3. October 20th, CFE Arena, Orlando, USA – Ali Trophy Quarter-Finals 
Emmanuel Rodriguez (Puerto Rico) vs. Jason Moloney (Australia)
IBF Bantamweight Championship 
&
Yunier Dorticos (Cuba) vs. Mateusz Masternak (Poland).
Cruiserweight Quarter-Final 
TICKETS: From $30 (plus fees) here: TicketMaster.com

4. October 27th, U.N.O. Lakefront Arena, New Orleans, USA – Ali Trophy Quarter-Finals 
Regis Prograis (United States) vs. Terry Flanagan (England)
WBC Super-Lightweight Diamond Title 
&
The second New Orleans quarter-final will be announced in the coming weeks.
TICKETS: From $30 (plus fees) here: TicketMaster.com

5. November 3rd, SSE Hydro, Glasgow, Scotland – Ali Trophy Quarter-Finals 
Ryan Burnett (Northern Ireland) vs. Nonito Donaire (Philippines)
WBA ‘Unified’ Bantamweight Championship & WBC Bantamweight Diamond Title 
&
Josh Taylor (Scotland) vs. Ryan Martin (United States)
WBC Super-Lightweight Silver Title 
TICKETS: From £35 (plus fees) here:​ thessehydro.com​

6. November 10th, Ali Trophy Quarter-Finals 
TBA

Season II divisions and Ali Trophy quarter-final match-ups:

Bantamweight:
Ryan Burnett (Northern Ireland) vs. Nonito Donaire (Philippines)
WBA ‘Unified’ World Championship and WBC Diamond Title 

Zolani Tete (South Africa) vs. Mikhail Aloyan (Russia)
WBO World Championship 

Naoya Inoue (Japan) vs. Juan Carlos Payano (Dominican Republic)
WBA ‘Regular’ World Championship 

Emmanuel Rodriguez (Puerto Rico) vs. Jason Moloney (Australia)
IBF World Championship 

Super-Lightweight: 
Regis Prograis (United States) vs. Terry Flanagan (England)
WBC Diamond Title 

Josh Taylor (Scotland) vs. Ryan Martin (United States)
WBC Silver Title 

Kiryl Relikh (Belarus) vs. Eduard Troyanovsky (Russia)
WBA World Championship 

Ivan Baranchyk (Belarus) vs. Anthony Yigit (Sweden)
IBF World Championship 

Cruiserweight: 
Mairis Briedis (Latvia) vs. Noel Mikaelian (Germany)

Yunier Dorticos (Cuba) vs. Mateusz Masternak (Poland)

Krzysztof Glowacki (Poland) vs. Maksim Vlasov (Russia)

Ruslan Fayfer (Russia) vs. Andrew Tabiti (United States)
IBF Eliminator 

Photos: World Boxing Super Series