Briedis Retires: Key Moments of the Latvian's Career
On August 19, 2024, 39-year-old Latvian boxer Mairis Briedis announced his retirement from professional boxing. Ready to Fight takes a look back at some of Briedis’s most memorable moments in the ring.
Kickboxing Career
Briedis’s journey in combat sports didn’t start with boxing. He was a successful kickboxer, even winning significant international titles.
– Winner of the Poland Cup (2004).
– Gold at the Latvian International Championship in light-contact up to 89 kg and low-kick up to 86 kg (2006).
– Winner of the European Championship in Varna, Bulgaria in full-contact up to 86 kg (2008).
Boxing Career and Major Achievements
Briedis made his professional boxing debut on October 11, 2009, defeating Raulis Rasilauskas by unanimous decision. This was followed by a streak of eight consecutive knockout wins from 2010 to 2013.
On April 1, 2017, Briedis defeated Marco Huck by unanimous decision, becoming the first world boxing champion from Latvia. The following year, on January 27, 2018, he faced future two-time undisputed world champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Briedis suffered his first career loss in that fight, but he gave the Ukrainian one of the toughest challenges of his career.
Afterward, Briedis went unbeaten for four years, during which time, on June 15, 2019, he defeated Krzysztof Głowacki. This fight became one of the most controversial in Briedis’s career due to rule violations, but he still claimed the WBO title.
On September 26, 2020, Briedis defeated Yuniel Dorticos in the final of the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) – one of the most prestigious boxing tournaments – where he won the Muhammad Ali Trophy and the IBF world title.
Briedis’s last two fights were against Jai Opetaia, both of which he lost by unanimous decision.
In total, Briedis competed in nine world title fights, winning six of them.
Mairis Briedis retires with a record of 28 wins (20 by knockout) and 3 losses. Over his career, he fought 179 rounds and had a knockout percentage of 71.5%.