Briedis challenges Zutis to a fight after Zutis's win in Riga, March 20 date mentioned
After Kristaps Zutis won at the “KOK 129” combat sports show in Riga, former boxing world champion Mairis Briedis stepped into the ring and challenged him. Sportajaunumi.com reports a possible date for the bout: March 20 at Xiaomi Arena.
At the “KOK 129” combat sports show in Riga on Saturday evening, Latvian fighter Kristaps Zutis quickly defeated Clark Morris of Great Britain. After the bout, former boxing world champion Mairis Briedis entered the ring, and the long-running friction between the two turned into an open confrontation. The media outlet Sportajaunumi.com also reported a possible date for a fight between them: March 20 at Xiaomi Arena.
A quick win under MMA rules
Zutis and Morris fought under mixed martial arts (MMA) rules. The bout was scheduled for three rounds but ended after just 48 seconds. Zutis was aggressive from the start and landed knee strikes. The fight was stopped when the British fighter stayed down on the canvas. After the bout, Morris was holding his right hand, raising suspicions of a possible injury.
Briedis issues a challenge
Briedis then went into the ring and publicly challenged Zutis to a fight against each other. He revealed that his disagreements with Zutis had been building for a long time.
“This individual has been getting on my nerves for four years, and he has woken a sleeping volcano. I never thought I would come into the ring, but I think we will see what this talker and showman can do in the ring,” Briedis said.
He also criticised Zutis's previous opponents, calling them “bums”, and questioned Zutis's abilities in the ring. Briedis said Zutis talks a lot and does little, and claimed there is a lot of fear in his eyes.
Zutis responds
Speaking to “Optibet Latvija”, Zutis was harsh about Briedis but acknowledged his achievements in boxing, noting that he is a three-time world champion. At the same time, he said the upcoming fight would be a serious challenge and did not claim that Briedis could not beat him.
Zutis promised to do everything in his power to prove himself and added that he likes being the underdog, meaning the less-favoured fighter. He said that in March spectators would see who is Sabile and who is the oar of Sabile.
