The bout featuring the top two cruiserweights in boxing had been scheduled for March 21 and then May 16 in Riga, Lativia, but those dates were scrapped due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. 

"It's the biggest fight in boxing since the coronavirus outbreak," Kalle Sauerland, chief boxing officer for the WBSS told ESPN. "I can't think of any other fight that's bigger than this one. It's for the Muhammad Ali Trophy, the finals of the second season of the World Boxing Super Series, and it's a sign that boxing is back. There's been some great boxing on, but there hasn't been a No. 1 versus No. 2 in the division, which this is."

Dorticos (24-1, 22 KOs) advanced by defeating Mateusz Masternak via unanimous decision in October 2018, then scoring a second-round knockout over Andrew Tabiti in June of last year to win the vacant IBF cruiserweight belt.

Briedis (26-1, 19 KOs) secured his spot for a chance to win the Muhammad Ali Trophy by beating Noel Gevor by unanimous decision in November 2018 and then blasting Krzysztof Glowacki in three rounds on the same card Dorticos routed Tabiti.

"It's taken a lot of energy in the background, Sauerland said. "Both teams have been great, very supportive of all the information we've needed. It's really been an effort. As a fan, I'm just looking forward to seeing big-time boxing back. What more can I say?"