By Alexey Sukachev

An eye-turning upset has always been a potential bloomer (or an inside track) of its creator’s chances to fight for something valuable. It still is. Another proof has been presented tonight, when an upcoming eliminator for the WBC #1 ranking in cruiserweight division between Latvian Mairis Briedis and Nigerian Olanrewaju Durodola was announced for May 14 in Riga, Latvia.

WBC #4 and WBO #5 rated Briedis, 31, got the soundest win of his life last August, when he destroyed heavyweight contender and former world title challenger Manuel Charr with a single uppercut.

The Latvian bomber is 2-0, 2 KOs, since then with wins over Laszlo Hubert and, most recently, Danie Venter this February. Briedis is 19-0, 16 KOs, and, if Bigger’s Better Boxing Promotions are taken into account, then his overall record is 31-1, 19 KOs.

WBC #2 (and also TBRB #9) cruiserweight Olanrewaju Durodola (22-2, 20 KOs) broke through the ranks and earned some media attention following his come-from-behind sensational stoppage of local favorite Dmitry Kudryashov in November 2015.

Inactive since then Durodola will get his chance in May nevertheless. WBC cruiserweight title is presently vacant as its previous owner Grigory Drozd is still recovering from a chain of injuries and is unable to defend his regalia in time. He was awarded the so-called emeritus title, which allows him to return to the ring right against the current champion. A vacant belt, meanwhile, will be contested in summer by WBC #1 rated Congolese Ilunga Makabu, and WBC #6 rated Brit Tony Bellew.