World Series Of Boxing, USA 4-1 Algeria: Knockouts back in the mix

USA 4-1 Algeria
Knockouts back in the mix

The USA Knockouts may well prove to be the surprise package of Group A after notching up yet another stylish home win.

Miami is becoming something of a fortress for the American outfit with the Algeria Desert Hawks the latest team to fall at its gates on Week 8. Importantly, the win moves the Knockouts ahead of Team Germany into the third place, with just two matches left in the Regular Season. Could the USA find themselves in the Playoffs for the second time in the World Series of Boxing (WSB) history?

The Light Flyweights (46-49kg), Bantamweights (56kg), Light Welterweights (64kg), Middleweights (75kg) and Heavyweights (91kg) contested this match.

Photo Courtesy WSB

Bout of the match

Josh Temple of the USA Knockouts took on Algerian Desert Hawks star boxer Chouaib Bouloudinats at Heavyweight. Temple was making his WSB debut against a man with 17 bouts worth of experience. That didn’t stop him from putting on an excellent show. Bouloudinats however had the experience to out-gun the powerful American with both men landing enormous blows throughout the fight.

Boxer of the match

23 year old Mohamed Flissi of Algeria is a London 2012 Olympian, current World silver medallist and the WSB number three ranked Light Flyweight. Thus it was a serious upturn for the books when relatively unknown Anthony Chacon from Puerto Rico beat him by TKO in round two. Chacon however, did make it to the quarter-finals of the World Championships last year, where it took eventual World Champion Birzhan Zhakypov of Kazakhstan to stop him. Tellingly, looking into both fighters eyes at the beginning of the match, Flissi seemed nervous whilst the Latin American boxer looked very up for the challenge. Despite that, it was Flissi who drew the proverbial first blood when he scored a knock down with one of his trademark hook combinations. Chacon was un-phased however and at the end of the round, he stung Flissi with a hard right hand which put him on wobbly legs just before the bell tolled. In the opening moments of the second round, he caught Flissi on the counter again with another stunning right hand to drop him. No sooner was the Desert Hawk back on his feet than the Knockouts boxer overwhelmed him with the referee calling the fight off. It was a huge win for Chacon, who now goes 2-0 in the WSB.

The turning point
Once Middleweight Marlo Delgado Suarez of Ecuador took on Ilyas Abbadi of the Algeria Desert Hawks, the night really swung in the USA’s favour. With a walk over at Light Welterweight, the win in here meant that the USA captured all the points and leapfrogged Team Germany in the table. Suarez’ performance however was in itself exceptional. Abbadi is one of the top Algerian boxers; a London 2012 Olympian with a WSB record (coming into this bout) of 4-1. For the new Knockouts boxer, to have mixed it up so successfully with him shows that he is a real find for the USA team.

Wrap up
Steven Fulton got the first win of his WSB career to take his record to 1-1 against Samir Brahimi who has now lost all six of his WSB bouts, despite making it to the last 16 of the London Olympic Games.
Unfortunately for Algeria, one of their main boxers Abdelkader Chadi was ruled out at a late stage, which gave a walk over victory to the USA’s Carlos Adames at Light Welterweight.

Coming up next
The Algeria Desert Hawks face the Argentina Condors at home whilst the USA Knockouts will be playing host to Team Germany in an extremely important match for both teams.

Catch up!
Don’t miss out on anything with our new service AIBAboxingTV.com! Highlights are provided with commentary shortly after each match so that you can keep up with the season as it unfolds.

World Series Of Series of Boxing, Mexico 2-3 Kazakhstan Defiant last stand

The Mexico Guerreros put in a heroic last effort against the defending champions Astana Arlans Kazakhstan as they battled in Week 8 to keep their hopes of a Playoffs place alive. The Arlans were clinical though and eventually managed to outscore the Season III semi-finalists.

The result means that the Mexico Guerreros become the second casualty of the World Series of Boxing’s (WSB) so called “Group of Death” after Season III quarter-finalists, the Hussars Poland, and will not now make it past the group stages this year. But the Guerreros, as you would expect, certainly went down in a blaze of glory.

We had the Flyweights (52kg), Lightweights (60kg), Welterweights (69kg), Light Heavyweights (81kg) and Super Heavyweights (91+kg) contesting this match.

Bout of the match
Lindolfo Delgado got the result of his young WSB career when he caused an upset against Samat Bashenov. The 19 year old Guerrero has only made one other WSB appearance against the Hussars Poland, where as Bashenov came into the bout at 6-3. To give you some sense of how highly Bashenov is regarded by the Astana Arlans, suffice to say that it was he who was given the responsibility of facing Olympic Champion Vasyl Lomachenko in last year’s Finals. The two orthodox boxers were light on their toes and boxed at range. The Kazakh’s jab was excellent in the early stages, but importantly Delgado was willing to mix it up from the beginning with his more senior opponent. The bout remained close going into the fifth round but Delgado’s youthful energy began to swing the momentum in his direction as he took a tight decision.

Photo Courtesy WSB

Boxer of the match
Manat Omerzakov made one of the most spectacular WSB debuts in history when he took on and beat three season veteran Marvin Cabrera at Welterweight. The Mexican had only previously lost one match, and entered the ring with a 7-1 record. Cabrera was also the number one ranked Middleweight in the old weight category (68-73kg) last season. The 23 year old Kazakh boxer looked very loose despite that as he battled the southpaw. He showed very good head movement and intelligent footwork as he hunted for the outside angles, making particularly good use of his lead left hook which he threw from an unpredictable low guard. His fitness and work rate were excellent throughout. Moreover, this was a critical bout in the contest. With the Mexicans leading the match 2-0, a loss would have handed the win to the Guerreros. This then was an epic win for the Arlans’ new man.

The turning point
If the change in the flow of the match began with Omerzakov, then it was Super Heavyweight Croatian Filip Hrgovic who hammered the final nail in the Mexican coffin when he took on the Guerreros’ Renat Rahimov. The Uzbek Guerreros boxer looked OK in the first round against his much taller Arlans opponent, though he took a standing eight count after bouncing off the ropes and into a solid right hand. By round two he was looking extremely reluctant and he was dropped in the corner by the big Croatian. The Mexican coach wisely chose to protect his boxer and placed the towel on the top rope. He deserves credit for this, as it handed all the points to the visitors.

Quote of the match
“Debut or not, if you are good enough to box for the Astana Arlans then…you are good!” – Our Commentator on Manat Omerzakov.

Wrap up
2013 WSB Boxer of the year Elias Emigdio led his team out to the perfect start at Flyweight against the very talented Miras Zhakupov and earned a comfortable TKO victory to bring his WSB record to 16-3.
Petru Ciobanu had a tough bout against Hrvoje Sep. The Croatian boxer ground out his victory for the Arlans in what was unspectacular but effective boxing style to pull the bout level in this battle of attrition.

Coming up next
The Mexico Guerreros will probably start to build for the future in their away match in Poland next weekend, whilst the Astana Arlans Kazakhstan will face their toughest match of the season so far, away to the Cuba Domadores.
Catch up!
Don’t miss out on anything with our new service AIBAboxingTV.com! Highlights are provided with commentary shortly after each match so that you can keep up with the season as it unfolds.

NBA – Regular Season Results Feb 8

NBA – Regular Season Results Feb 8

FT Washington Wizards 113
Cleveland Cavaliers 115

FT Boston Celtics 99
Sacramento Kings 89

FT Detroit Pistons 111
Brooklyn Nets 95

OT Indiana Pacers 118
Portland Trailblazers 113

FT Orlando Magic 103
Oklahoma City Thunder 102

FT Philadelphia 76ers 98
L. A. Lakers 112

FT New York Knicks 117
Denver Nuggets 90

FT Dallas Mavericks 103
Utah Jazz 81

FT New Orleans Pelicans 98
Minnesota Timberwolves 91

FT L. A. Clippers 118
Toronto Raptors 105

Fed Cup by BNP Paribas results: 7 February 2014

The ITF has announced the latest results from Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Americas Zone Group I, Asia/Oceania Zone Groups I and II, and Europe/Africa Zone Groups I and III.

Five Zone Group events are taking place this week: Europe/Africa Zone Group I in Budapest, Hungary (4-9 February); Americas Zone Group I in Lambare, Paraguay (5-8 February); Asia/Oceania Zone Groups I and II in Astana, Kazakhstan (4-8 February); and Europe/Africa Zone Group III in Tallinn, Estonia (5-8 February).

All nations contesting the Zone Group I events will be bidding to qualify for the Fed Cup World Group II play-offs on 19-20 April, with two teams qualifying from the Europe/Africa Zone, and one team from both the Americas and Asia/Oceania Zones.

The 2014 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group and World Group II first round ties are taking place on 8-9 February.

Fed Cup by BNP Paribas is the World Cup of Tennis. It is the largest annual international team competition in women’s sport, with 95 nations taking part in 2014. The event celebrated its 50th birthday in 2013 in the ITF’s centenary year. The title sponsor is BNP Paribas, the Official Bank of Fed Cup. Adecco (Official HR Sponsor) is an international sponsor, and Wilson Sporting Goods (Official Ball) is an international partner.

Follow all the action on http://www.fedcup.com, http://www.fedcup.com/es, http://www.twitter.com/fedcup, http://www.facebook.com/FedCup and http://www.fedcup.tv

EUROPE/AFRICA ZONE GROUP I

Venue: Syma Event and Congress Centre, Budapest, Hungary (hard – indoor)

Pool A

Belgium defeated Croatia 3-0

Alison Van Uytvanck (BEL) d. Tereza Mrdeza (CRO) 64 16 62
Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. Donna Vekic (CRO) 63 62
Alison Van Uytvanck/Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. Darija Jurak/Tereza Mrdeza (CRO) 06 64 64

Netherlands defeated Luxembourg 3-0

Richel Hogenkamp (NED) d. Sharon Pesch (LUX) 63 61
Kiki Bertens (NED) d. Tiffany Cornelius (LUX) 61 61
Michaella Krajicek/Lesley Kerkhove (NED) d. Tiffany Cornelius/Sharon Pesch (LUX) 61 60

Pool B

Romania defeated Great Britain 2-1

Heather Watson (GBR) d. Sorana Cirstea (ROU) 67(7) 61 64
Simona Halep (ROU) d. Johanna Konta (GBR) 61 64
Irina-Camelia Begu/Monica Niculescu (ROU) d. Jocelyn Rae/Heather Watson (GBR) 60 62

Hungary defeated Latvia 2-1

Reka-Luca Jani (HUN) d. Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) 60 64
Diana Marcinkevica (LAT) d. Timea Babos (HUN) 62 64
Timea Babos/Reka-Luca Jani (HUN) d. Diana Marcinkevica/Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) 75 36 61

Pool D

Belarus defeated Bulgaria 2-1

Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR) d. Borislava Botusharova (BUL) 61 63
Olga Govortsova (BLR) d. Viktoriya Tomova (BUL) 63 64
Elitsa Kostova/Viktoriya Tomova (BUL) d. Ilona Kremen/Iryna Shymanovich (BLR) 46 63 75

Portugal defeated Turkey 2-1

Ipek Soylu (TUR) d. Barbara Luz (POR) 76(3) 62
Michelle Larcher De Brito (POR) d. Cagla Buyukakcay (TUR) 64 62
Michelle Larcher De Brito/Barbara Luz (POR) d. Cagla Buyukakcay/Pemra Ozgen (TUR) 26 63 63

ASIA/OCEANIA ZONE GROUP I

Venue: National Tennis Centre, Astana, Kazakhstan (hard – indoor)

Pool A

Thailand defeated Kazakhstan 2-1

Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) d. Noppawan Lertcheewakarn (THA) 64 63
Luksika Kumkhum (THA) d. Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) 06 64 61
Luksika Kumkhum/Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA) d. Yaroslava Shvedova/Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ) 64 76(3)

Pool B

China, P.R. defeated Chinese Taipei 3-0

Qiang Wang (CHN) d. Chia Hsien Yang (TPE) 61 75
Shuai Zhang (CHN) d. Ting-Fei Juan (TPE) 60 60
Qiang Wang/Shuai Zhang (CHN) d. Ting-Fei Juan/Ya-Hsuan Lee (TPE) 62 62

Uzbekistan defeated Korea, Rep. 2-1

Sabina Sharipova (UZB) d. So-Ra Lee (KOR) 61 61
Nigina Abduraimova (UZB) d. Su Jeong Jang (KOR) 16 75 63
Na Lae Han/Mi Yoo (KOR) d. Arina Folts/Alina Abdurakhimova (UZB) 62 60

AMERICAS ZONE GROUP I

Venue: Yacht y Golf Club Paraguayo, Lambare, Paraguay (clay – outdoor)

Pool A

Paraguay defeated Venzuela 2-0

Montserrat Gonzalez (PAR) d. Andrea Gamiz (VEN) 75 63
Veronica Cepede Royg (PAR) d. Adriana Perez (VEN) 61 64
Veronica Cepede Royg/Montserrat Gonzalez (PAR) v Andrea Gamiz/Adriana Perez (VEN)

Pool B

Brazil defeated Colombia 2-0

Paula Cristina Goncalves (BRA) d. Catalina Castano (COL) 63 64
Teliana Pereira (BRA) d. Mariana Duque-Marino (COL) 60 76(5)
Catalina Castano/Mariana Duque-Marino (COL) v Paula Cristina Goncalves/Teliana Pereira (BRA)

Ecuador defeated Bahamas 2-0

Charlotte Roemer (ECU) d. Iesha Shepherd (BAH) 60 61
Domenica Gonzalez (ECU) d. Nikkita Fountain (BAH) 63 60
Nikkita Fountain/Larikah Russell (BAH) v Rafaella Baquerizo/Rafaela Gomez (ECU)

ASIA/OCEANIA ZONE GROUP II

Venue: National Tennis Centre, Astana, KAZ (hard – indoor)

1st to 4th place play-off

Hong Kong, China defeated India 2-1

Eudice Chong (HKG) d. Prarthana G. Thombare (IND) 62 61
Ling Zhang (HKG) d. Ankita Raina (IND) 64 63
Ankita Raina/Rishika Sunkara (IND) d. Kwan Yau Ng/Ho Ching Wu (HKG) 62 61

Philippines defeated Turkmenistan 3-0

Anna Clarice Patrimonio (PHI) d. Jahana Bayramova (TKM) 62 60
Marian Jade Capadocia (PHI) d. Anastasiya Prenko (TKM) 46 64 60
Marian Jade Capadocia/Anna Clarice Patrimonio (PHI) d. Jahana Bayramova/Guljahan Kadyrova (TKM) 61 61

5th to 8th place play-off

New Zealand defeated Malaysia 3-0

Emma Hayman (NZL) d. Aslina Chua An Ping (MAS) 62 63
Marina Erakovic (NZL) d. Alyssa Boey (MAS) 62 60
Abigail Guthrie/Dianne Hollands (NZL) d. Michelle Li Sha Khoo/Yus Syazlin Nabila Binti Yusri (MAS) 61 60

Singapore defeated Kyrgyzstan 2-1

Inna Volkovich (KGZ) d. Geraldine Ang (SIN) 62 76(3)
Rheeya Doshi (SIN) d. Alina Lazareva (KGZ) 61 61
Geraldine Ang/Rheeya Doshi (SIN) d. Alina Lazareva/Inna Volkovich (KGZ) 61 62

9th to 12th place play-off

Vietnam defeated Iran 3-0

Thi Tam Hao Tran (VIE) d. Ghazal Pakbaten (IRI) 61 60
Phi Khanh Huynh (VIE) d. Sahar Amini Hajibashi (IRI) 76(6) 46 75
Minh Trang Dao/Thi Thanh Binh Phan (VIE) d. Ghazal Pakbaten/Sadaf Sadeghvaziri (IRI) 16 62 62

Sri Lanka defeated Iraq 3-0

Nethmi Himashi Waduge (SRI) d. Halla Alajeely (IRQ) 63 62
Amreetha Muttiah (SRI) d. Ghada Alajeely (IRQ) 60 61
Kemalie Herath/Medhira Samarasinghe (SRI) d. Ghada Alajeely/Halla Alajeely (IRQ) 63 61

EUROPE/AFRICA ZONE GROUP III

Venue: Tere Tennis Center, Tallinn, Estonia (hard – indoor)

Pool A

Estonia defeated Armenia 3-0

Anett Kontaveit (EST) d. Ani Safaryan (ARM) 60 60
Kaia Kanepi (EST) d. Ani Amiraghyan (ARM) 60 60
Eva Paalma/Tatjana Vorobjova (EST) d. Lusine Chobanyan/Ani Safaryan (ARM) 63 62

Pool B

Greece defeated Moldova 2-1

Valentini Grammatikopoulou (GRE) d. Anastasia Detiuc (MDA) 61 60
Maria Sakkari (GRE) d. Julia Helbet (MDA) 62 61
Gabriela Porubin/Julia Helbet (MDA) d. Maria Sakkari/Agni Stefanou (GRE) 63 62

Pool C

Denmark defeated Norway 2-1

Mai Grage (DEN) d. Ida Seljevoll Skancke (NOR) 61 63
Karen Barbat (DEN) d. Melanie Stokke (NOR) 60 62
Ida Seljevoll Skancke/Melanie Stokke (NOR) d. Malou Ejdesgaard/Mai Grage (DEN) 76(7) 76(3)

Pool D

Ireland defeated Malta 2-1

Elaine Genovese (MLT) d. Jane Fennelly (IRL) 63 46 62
Amy Bowtell (IRL) d. Katrina Sammut (MLT) 63 60
Amy Bowtell/Rachael Dillon (IRL) d. Rosanne Dimech/Elaine Genovese (MLT) 61 61

The weekend’s Top Football Fixtures Across Europe

England – Premier League February 8

13:45 Liverpool vs Arsenal

16:00 Aston Villa vs West Ham United

16:00 Southampton vs Stoke City

16:00 Sunderland vs Hull City

16:00 Chelsea vs Newcastle United

16:00 Crystal Palace vs West Bromwich Albion

16:00 Norwich City vs Manchester City

18:30 Swansea City vs Cardiff City

England – Premier League Sunday February 9

14:30 Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton

17:00 Manchester United vs Fulham

France – Ligue 1 February 8

17:00 Marseille vs Bastia

20:00 Ajaccio vs Rennes

20:00 Guingamp vs Reims

20:00 Lille vs Sochaux

20:00 Montpellier vs Evian Thonon Gaillard

20:00 Valenciennes vs Nice

France – Ligue 1 February 9

14:00 Nantes vs Lyon

17:00 Bordeaux vs Lorient

21:00 Monaco vs Paris Saint Germain

Italy – Serie A

18:00 Fiorentina vs Atalanta

18:00 Udinese vs ChievoVerona

20:45 SSC Napoli vs AC Milan

Italy – Serie A February 9

12:30 Torino vs Bologna

15:00 Hellas Verona vs Juventus

15:00 Lazio vs Roma

15:00 Livorno vs Genoa

15:00 Parma vs Catania

15:00 Sampdoria vs Cagliari

20:45 Inter vs Sassuolo

Spain – Liga BBVA

16:00 Valencia vs Real Betis

18:00 Rayo Vallecano vs Malaga

20:00 Real Madrid vs Villarreal

22:00 Almeria vs Atletico Madrid

Spain – Liga BBVA February 9

12:00 Osasuna vs Getafe

17:00 Valladolid vs Elche

19:00 Real Sociedad vs Levante

21:00 Sevilla vs Barcelona

Germany – Bundesliga

15:30 Eintracht Frankfurt vs Braunschweig

15:30 Freiburg vs Hoffenheim

15:30 Nurnberg vs Bayern Munich

15:30 Werder Bremen vs Borussia Dortmund

15:30 Wolfsburg vs Mainz 05

18:30 Hamburger SV vs Hertha Berlin

Germany – Bundesliga February 9

15:30 VfB Stuttgart vs Augsburg

17:30 Schalke 04 vs Hannover 96

World Series of Boxing Results-Germany 2-3 Italy, The Eagles pinch a point

Team Germany managed to take what could prove to be a crucial point from the visiting Italians in their bid to hold onto third place in Group A this weekend. With both the USA Knockouts and the Algeria Desert Hawks breathing down their necks in the table, the point could prove pivotal in the long term, especially as the Germans still have a match in hand.

The Light Flyweights (46-49kg), Bantamweights (56kg), Light Welterweights (64kg), Middleweights (75kg) and Heavyweights (91kg) were contesting this match.

Bout of the match
Omar El Hag of Team Germany took on Khedafi Djelkhir of France in an interesting bout at Bantamweight that saw two athletes with 1-0 records facing each other. This was a real battle with both orthodox boxers willing to stand and trade for much of the fight. The German fighter took the opening two rounds by what must have been an extremely small margin, but the Italia Thunder boxer fought back to win the next two rounds. With the bout going right down to the wire in the fifth and final round, the two boxers were a credit to themselves, and their teams. They were both absolutely relentless but it was the Frenchman who took it in the end.

Boxer of the match
Light Flyweight Mark Barriga looked very sharp in his bout against Ovidiu Berceanu. The southpaw was elusive with beautiful footwork and head movement, which at times made him look untouchable. His hand speed was excellent and he measured his range, movement and tactics to perfection. He did well to ensure that he did not once let himself get drawn into a slug fest. All in all it was a skilful display by the Philippine boxer who put on a wonderful exhibition of boxing.

The turning point
When Team Germany’s European Champion Johann Witt took on Hungary’s WSB legend Imre Szello at Heavyweight, the whole match hung in the balance with the score at 2-2. The experienced Hungarian Italia Thunder fighter looked cat-like in the ring. His movement is almost comparable to a Super Slinky; namely, almost impossible to predict. The German worked hard and threw out hundreds of punches, but even if the bout had gone a few more rounds, the only danger to Szello would have been that he caught a cold from the whooshing air. It was another convincing win for Szello, who did well after stepping to cover for Clemente Russo at short notice.

Quote of the match
“I wouldn’t have a penny of anybody’s money on that round, I will leave that completely up to the judges to call” – Our commentator sums up exactly how close the first round between Omar El Hag and Khedafi Djelkhir was.

Wrap up
Kastriot Sopa of Team Germany pulled off the result of his WSB career to date when he beat three season veteran Branimir Stankovic of the Italia Thunder at Light Welterweight. The result was all the more impressive because Sopa had previously lost to the Serbian in Week 6 of Season III. The German dominated the match and the Italia Thunder’s boxer was unable to find another gear to stage a fight back. It was a great result for the German.

Denis Robert Radovan of Team Germany took on Bogdan Juratoni in a hard fought bout at Middleweight. Both boxers did some good work on the inside and their high level of physical conditioning gave what was an otherwise scrappy affair quite the edge. It was the local boxer who won it, much to the delight of the crowd, to bring the Germans to 2-2.
Coming up next
Team Germany will face a tricky voyage to Miami to face a resurgent USA Knockouts team, the real importance of which will only be measurable after the American’s match against the Algeria Desert Hawks. The Italia Thunder meanwhile will have one of their hardest clashes of the season at home to the group leaders, the Ukraine Otamans.

Catch up!
Don’t miss out on anything with our new service AIBAboxingTV.com! Highlights are provided with commentary shortly after each match so that you can keep up with the season as it unfolds.