Mairis Briedis, a former three-time cruiserweight champion known for his toughness and talent, has officially announced his retirement from the sport. With a record of 28-3(20), Briedis leaves behind a legacy of exciting fights and memorable moments over his almost 15-year career.
During his time in the ring, Briedis faced off against some of the biggest names in the cruiserweight division, including Oleksandr Usyk, Manuel Charr, and Marco Huck. His fight against Usyk, in particular, was considered one of the toughest in Usyk’s career, with Briedis pushing him to a 12-round majority decision. Briedis also had memorable bouts against Krysztof Glowacki, Yuniel Dorticos, and Jai Opetaia.
Briedis claimed his first world title with a victory over Marco Huck in 2017, capturing the vacant WBC belt. Despite a controversial win over Glowacki for the WBO title, Briedis solidified his status as a top cruiserweight with a close win over Dorticos for the IBF title in the 2020 World Boxing Super Series final.
As Briedis walks away from the sport at age 39, he leaves behind a legacy as one of the greatest Latvian boxers of all time. Never once stopped in his career, Briedis faced a variety of fighting styles and always remained competitive. With a shot at being inducted into the Hall of Fame, Briedis has cemented his place in boxing history.
In his retirement announcement, Briedis shared a message expressing gratitude for his career, accompanied by a selection of photos highlighting his achievements in the ring. His career will be remembered with immense pride and admiration by fans and fellow fighters alike. While a rematch with Usyk may never come to fruition, Briedis’ impact on the cruiserweight division will not be forgotten.