Knockout of the Year: Murat Gassiev KOs Jordan Shimmell
In what was an under-the-radar match that snuck onto a Fox Sports 1 Tuesday night Premier Boxing Champions card, cruiserweight Murat Gassiev secured his shot at a world title (one that he would later win that year) by destroying Jordan Shimmell in the knockout of the year.
Shimmell, a decent pro who had lost his first real step-up in competition was going to test the merit of Gassiev, who showed brutal power, but is very basic in his approach sans explosive and thudding power. Shimmell made a cardinal mistake, which was to stand in the same spot after Gassiev shifted all of his weight to his front foot making Gassiev’s left hook extra dangerous.
The result saw a nearly lifeless Shimmell stiffen up on the mat as Gassiev cemented himself into a title shot.