Boxing will break a new territory next year when the final of the inaugural World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia.

A deal was struck between WBSS organizer and owner Comosa AG and The General Sports Authority of Saudi Arabia to hold the showpiece final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with May being pencilled in as the date.

The WBSS has got off to a strong start and at the semi-final stage Olympic Gold Medallist and current WBO World Champion Aleksandr Usyk will take on Mairis Briedis while Yunier Dorticos will fight the winner of this weekend's fight between Murat Gassiev and Krzysztof Wlodarczyk with the overall winner being presented with The Muhammad Ali trophy.

The venues of both semi-finals, which are expected to take place in the second half of January next year, will be announced in due course with the showpiece final will taking place Saudi Arabia in May.

Turki Al-Alsheikh, President of The General Sports Authority (GSA): “This agreement is part of our broader commitment and work to develop the sport of boxing in Saudi Arabia. Having the first final of such a high profile and ground-breaking tournament take place in Jeddah Saudi Arabia is a key milestone for us

“The interest in boxing amongst young youth is there and is growing rapidly, which is why GSA is also working with forming a grassroots partnership with one of the largest international boxing federations to promote the sport.

Kalle Sauerland, Comosa’s Chief Boxing Officer, added: “The Muhammad Ali trophy is going from strength to strength and, with the cruiserweight division featuring all four federation world champions, the undisputed champion will be crowned in Jeddah Saudi Arabia next May.

“We will also feature local fighters on the undercard and help promote the sport locally. The Muhammad Ali name and legacy is so revered in the Middle East and Africa, and Ali himself fought his greatest battles (‘The Thriller in Manila’ and ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’) in locations not normally associated with boxing, so it is fitting to bring big time boxing to Jeddah in the name of the Greatest of All Time.”