Murat Gassiev KO1 Jordan Shimmell is the 2016 TSS Knockout of the Year

Murat Gassiev KO1 Jordan Shimmell – On May 17th Murat Gassiev scored a devastating knockout in the very first round of his bout against Jordan Shimmell. Not only did the single left hook put Jordan Shimmell out so violently that ringsiders including this reporter were seriously in fear of his safety, but the single punch also catapulted him into a world title fight.

The fight was the main event of a Tuesday night Premier Boxing Champions card at the Black Bear Casino Resort in Carlton, Minnesota. It was a bit of an odd place to hold the fight as Carlton is basically out in the middle of nowhere – being more than a two hour car ride north of the Twin Cities. The scene itself didn’t quite seem fitting for an eliminator bout with the winner to face the victor of the forthcoming cruiserweight title unification match between Victor Emilio Ramirez and Denis Lebedev, but Gassiev changed the entire mood of the venue before night’s end.

Heading into the bout it was a boxer vs puncher matchup. The boxer was the 27-year-old Shimmell who stands 6’ 3” with an impressive 80” reach that he uses to keep his opponents at bay. Described as a polished boxer with a high ring IQ, Shimmell had a stellar amateur career that included winning the 2009 National Golden Gloves title at 201 lbs. He also has power, having stopped 16 inside the distance as a pro while building a 20-1 record.

Gassiev, meanwhile, was the bruiser heading into the fight that had power in both hands and had been seen before a few times on network television where he looked exciting, albeit hittable at times. Gassiev isn’t afraid to take one in order to give one.

The feel at the venue did not reflect the odds heading into the fight which favored the undefeated 22-0 Gassiev. Despite Gassiev training in Big Bear, California with renowned trainer Abel Sanchez, ringsiders figured Shimmell to have a chance considering his strong amateur background and the fact that he had the same amount of stoppages as Gassiev but in fewer fights. He was also thought to have better boxing skills than the 22-year-old bruiser.

The first round seemed to be going as planned for Shimmell as he circled the ring and kept his distance but in one instant Gassiev changed all that with his perfectly placed left hook that violently snapped Shimmell’s head and sent him down in pieces. The knockout was such a violent one that it sent a chill across the viewers skin when seen live because you couldn’t be sure if Shimmell would be able to get up under his own power. It was the type of knockout that makes you jump up in excitement only to have that emotion immediately changed to fear for the fighter that is not moving, let alone getting up.

One punch not only got Gassiev a title shot but it also completely 180’ed the minds of the viewers. Just like that Gassiev was suddenly the real deal. Before the year was out, he would capture the IBF world cruiserweight title in his native Russia with a hard fought decision over Denis Lebedev.

That is why Murat Gassiev’s devastating one-punch knockout was judged the best of the year for TSS.

Murat Gassiev KO1 Jordan Shimmell / Check out more on the “KO of the Year” at The Boxing Channel.