On July 22 Gassiev lost to Alexander Usyk, losing his WBA and IBF cruiserweight titles. Usyk, who owned WBC and WBO belts became the undisputed champion and the winner of the Mohammed Ali Trophy, which is awarded to the WBSS winner.
In the new season the Russians Maxim Vlasov and Ruslan Feifer, Poles Krzysztof Głowacki and Mateusz Masternack, American Andrew Tabiti, German Noel Gevor, Latvian Mairis Briedis and Cuban Yunier Dorticos will take part in the tournament.