When two men step into a ring with one another, lay it all on the line and go to war, the mutual respect shared afterwards shows why boxing at its root core – is such a special sport.

Trash talk happens before fights to sell them but afterwards, nine times out of ten, everything is forgotten about and hands are shaken.

Respect is expressed as the two combatants move on to their next endeavours.

There has to be a winner and a loser, ultimately, and for the defeated boxer the lows can be incredibly low.

Understandably so.

Mere mortals like ourselves can only imagine the heartache and pain of a defeat after literally putting it all on the line for the general public’s entertainment in a world championship professional bout.

Following last night’s world cruiserweight title fight in the World Boxing Super Series defeated Cuban Dorticos was clearly down at the dumps emotionally after fighting his heart out bravely against eventual winner Gassiev.

This moment afterwards in the post-fight press conference shows why boxing is the greatest sports of them all:

A beautiful moment as Gassiev comforts an emotional Dorticos. Two warriors! ✌️#GassievDorticos 🏆 #AliTrophy pic.twitter.com/hqI8whwFKH

— World Boxing Super Series (@WBSuperSeries) February 3, 2018

Brilliant, brilliant stuff.

Both fighters’ stock will have risen considerably after this weekend’s contest. No doubt about it.

This won’t be the last we’ve heard of Dorticos, not a chance.