An outstanding performance in Guba from Mexico Guerreros resulted in a sensational 4-1 victory for the North American Franchise over Season IV runners up Azerbaijan Baku Fires in the first leg of the World Series of Boxing (WSB) quarter-final.
Mexico dominated the contest from the outset, and took advantage of an inexperienced Azeri team to reign supreme in Guba.
This result means that Azerbaijan need to win at least four legs in tomorrow’s second leg to give themselves any chance of qualifying for the semi-finals, while Mexico know that two victories will take them through to the last four, where they would meet defending Champions Cuba Domadores.
The night began with an outstanding performance at Light flyweight (49 kg) from Mexico’s Joselito Velázquez Altamirano who took his season record to 7-1 after defeating 1-3 Rasul Saliev.
Sergio CHIRINO (Mexico Guerreros) vs Yasar MAGOMEDOV (Azerbaijan Baku Fires)
Altamirano used his speed and skills to tremendous effect throughout the contest, with his elusive nature a hindrance for Saliyev whose forward style proved ineffective.
All three judges awarded the contest to Altamirano 50-44, 49-45, and 49-46.
The Guerreros took a 2-0 lead after Bantamweight (56 kg) Sergio Alfredo Chirino Sánchez achieved his first win of the campaign in a close contest with Baku Fires debutant Yashar Magomedov.
Both boxers worked tremendously hard in the bout, but the WSB experience of Sánchez was the main difference between the two, and he took control of the first four rounds using clever punches and lateral movement.
Magomedov remained composed despite the onslaught, and claimed the last round on all three scorecards to finish the fight with credit.
It was not enough however, and Sánchez secured the contest 49-46 according to one scorer, and 48-47 from the remaining two judges.
Mexico secured the overall advantage in the first leg and took an unassailable 3-0 lead after 7-1 Light welterweight (64 kg) Raúl Curiel García widely outpointed Zaur Abdullayev.
García has been one of the standout competitors in all of WSB this season, and was the better boxer from the very first moments of the contest.
One of the main attributes of the Mexican boxer is his remarkable head movement, which enables him to evade punches while setting up his own attacks.
Considering it was his WSB debut, Abdullayev was not overawed but he couldn’t keep up with García’s endless stamina and punch output, and the Guerrero dropped just one round on all three scorecards.
After losing the first three fights in Guba, Azerbaijan Baku Fires claimed a priceless win at Middleweight (75 kg) when 3-2 Jaba Khositashvili outfought 2-5 Misael Uriel Rodríguez Oliva.
This was a ferocious battle, fought mostly in the middle of the ring, and neither man took a backwards step despite the high tempo.
Khositashvili started well, and negotiated his way through Oliva’s rough tactics to take the first three rounds on all of the scorecards.
His left hand was a sharp weapon early on, while the Mexican fighter tended to rely on uppercuts and hooks.
After a fast opening three rounds, the Baku Fires man appeared to slow dramatically in the fourth, and Oliva took advantage to consistently pressure his opponent and take the round in convincing fashion.
Backed by an amazing home crowd, Khositashvili found a second wind in the last three minutes, and though he again lost the round, his rugged defence enabled him to remain on his feet, and to ultimately claim the contest via unanimous decision.
Mexico Guerreros sealed the 4-1 first leg victory after a tremendously enthralling Heavyweight (91 kg) battle where Ecuador’s 4-0 Julio Cesar Castillo Torres defeated 0-1 Leonid Charnabayeu.
Every round in this fight was dramatic and intriguing, with Charnabayeu consistently moving forward and applying pressure, while Torres utilised a defensive style which served him well.
The Ecuadorian was the faster fighter and his hand speed proved problematic for Charnabayeu, and though the Baku Fires boxer won the first round, he could not maintain the momentum.
Heading into the last round, everything was still to play for, with Torres leading by a round on two scorecards, with the other two cards even.
Again Charnabayeu pushed forward, and battled constantly to accurately hit his South American opponent, but the footwork of Torres was too much to handle, and he was eventually awarded the decision unanimously.
After the end of the Regular Season in the World Series of Boxing (WSB), all six Franchises who have qualified for the Playoff stages have now been determined.
The first quarter-final will take place on 6-7 May, as Azerbaijan Baku Fires host Mexico Guerreros.
All 10 weight categories will compete across two nights, and if there is a draw after every bout has been completed, a Tie-Breaker Bout in the Light flyweight (49 kg) division will determine the winner.
Azerbaijan finished second in the Group B table with 10 wins from 14 matches, while Mexico overtook Ukraine Otamans in the last week of the group stages to qualify third in Group A with the same record as the Baku Fires.
Week 13 Group B Weigh In Puerto Rico Hurricanes vs Azerbaijan Baku Fires
Whichever teams wins will travel to Season IV Champions Cuba Domadores in the semi-finals on 21-22 May, following the same format as the quarter-finals, with the tiebreaker at Flyweight (52 kg).
Cuba are undefeated in Season V of WSB with a perfect 14-0 record and have qualified directly through to the last four as a result of finishing top of Group A.
The second quarter-final will take place on 10-11 May where Russian Boxing Team host Italia Thunder across two legs, and the Tie-Breaker Bout will take place at Light welterweight (64 kg) if required.
Russian Boxing Team placed second in Group A with 10 wins out of 14 matches, while Italia Thunder won exactly half of their matches in the Regular Season to finish third in Group B.
Valentino Manfredonia Vs Hrvoje Sep (Italia Thunder vs Astana Arlans Kazakhstan)
Astana Arlans Kazakhstan await the winners of this match in the semi-finals on 22-23 May, and the Kazakh Franchise are in excellent form this season with just one defeat from 14 fixtures.
That two-legged match will run exactly the same as in each of the other playoffs, with the tiebreak in this contest a Heavyweight (91 kg) bout.
The winners of both semi-finals will meet in the WSB Season V Final, across 10 bouts held over two nights with the Tie-Breaker Bout at Bantamweight (56 kg).
After Caciques Venezuela defeated Rafako Hussars Poland on Friday night, Italia Thunder knew that they needed to beat Astana Arlans Kazakhstan to move into the last qualification spot in Group B of the World Series of Boxing (WSB).
It was a difficult proposition to imagine however, as Kazakhstan had won all 13 of their matches in Season V of the competition.
Additionally, the fixture carried huge significance for some of the competitors in action, as it was their last chance to earn a qualification quota for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games through WSB.
After five gruelling fights, Italy secured a priceless victory 3-2 over Kazakhstan to reach the knockout stages where they will meet Russian Boxing Team.
The most important bout of the evening from an individual level was at Light heavyweight (81 kg), where 7-0 home star Valentino Manfredonia and 6-1 Hrvoje Sep competed against each other knowing that whoever won would earn a Rio 2016 quota, while the loser would miss out.
It was a tremendously entertaining fight with plenty of exciting action from both competitors.
Manfredonia took control in the first three rounds as he displayed the skilful style that had resulted in so much success this season, while the resolute Sep improved as the fight progressed.
Despite the late surge from Sep, all three of the judges awarded Manfredonia the decision, which saw him finish the group stages top of the Light heavyweight rankings, and with a valuable Rio 2016 quota.
The win also secured Italy’s overall victory on the night, which made the night even more memorable for Manfredonia.
Valentino Manfredonia Vs Hrvoje Sep (Italia Thunder vs Astana Arlans Kazakhstan)
Another fighter who earned an Olympic quota was Astana Arlans Super heavyweight (91+ kg) Filip Hrgovic, who took his season record to 7-0 after stopping reigning Italian Champion Alessio Spahiu in round two of their bout.
This was Hrgovic’s fifth TKO win of the campaign, and the Croatian is perhaps the most powerful puncher in all of WSB.
Only one Rio 2016 quota was available from the Super heavyweight division, which makes Hrgovic one of the best in the world at his weight class.
Italy opened the evening with victory at Flyweight (52 kg) when India’s Gaurav Bidhuri edged a split decision win over Kazakhstan’s 1-1 Miras Zhakupov.
Although one judge had Zhakupov winning all five rounds, the other two scored the contest in favour of Bidhuri by a single point.
2-1 Italian Donato Cosenza then scored a victory over Roman Chshegrinov at Lightweight (60 kg), as his excellent start to the fight impressed the judges.
Kazakhstan’s second success of the night was secured by Welterweight (69 kg) Aslanbek Shymbergenov who outpointed Ireland’s Adam Nolan.
Amazing Azerbaijan Baku Fires outperform Argentina Condors 5-0 in Guba
Week 13 Group B Weigh In Puerto Rico Hurricanes vs Azerbaijan Baku Fires
World Series of Boxing (WSB) Season IV runners-up Azerbaijan Baku Fires ended the Regular Season of Season V with a 5-0 home win over Argentina Condors.
Azerbaijan have finished the group stages in second place, and will be at home to Mexico Guerreros in the quarter-finals, while Argentina stay bottom of the Group B table.
The Baku Fires began this fixture with a 1-0 lead after Argentina’s Luis Alberto Veron was unable to compete in his match with Azeri Welterweight (69 kg) Parviz Baghirov.
3-1 Murad Rabadanov enjoyed Azerbaijan’s first in-ring success of the night by winning every round against 0-2 Argentine Flyweight (52 kg) Ricardo Maximiliano Ibarra.
Rabadanov was dominant with both hands, and dropped Ibarra in the second round with a fierce left hook which was a constant weapon in the bout.
20-year-old WSB debutant Nasraddin Mammadov then won his opening match in the competition, and sealed the overall victory for Azerbaijan with a shutout performance over 1-5 Brian Ivan Nunez.
Mammadov expertly displayed his supreme head movement and excellent reflexes, which left Nunez unable to hit the Azeri fighter cleanly at any time.
2012 Olympian Mikhail Dauhaliavets made it 4-0 for the Baku Fires at Light heavyweight (81 kg) with a quick stoppage of Juan Gabriel Rizzo Patrón at the end of the first round.
The Belarusian fighter has been a fantastic WSB competitor through the years, and his outstanding punch which dropped the Condor in round one was a classic Dauhaliavets shot.
In the last fight of the evening, 2-1 Super heavyweight (91+ kg) Haji Murtuzaliyev secured the whitewash for Azerbaijan after widely outpointing Facundo Cesar Ghiglione.
Cuba Domadores continue their dominance of WSB with 5-0 win over Ukraine Otamans
Week 13 Group A Match Ukraine Otamans vs Russian Boxing Team
World Series of Boxing (WSB) Season IV champions Cuba Domadores continued their dominance in the fifth installment of the competition with a 5-0 home win over Ukraine Otamans.
This was Cuba’s 14th straight win in Season V, but sadly for Ukraine the result moved them down to fourth in the Group A table, and outside of the qualification places for the knock-out stages.
The most important bout from an individual level came at Light heavyweight (81 kg) where two-time AIBA World Championships gold medalist Julio Cesar La Cruz temporarily moved to the top of the rankings after winning every round against 4-2 Oleksandr Khyzhniak.
La Cruz’s six win of the season was a vital one, especially as the number two and three ranked Valentino Mandredonia and Hrvoje Sep fight each other on Saturday night.
It was a classic La Cruz performance who outclassed his Ukrainian rival despite there only being one place between them in the rankings at the start of the match.
This means that the Cuban is now guaranteed to finish in the top two rankings, and as only two Rio 2016 Olympic Games quotas are available through WSB, his victory was incredibly significant.
Number one ranked Flyweight (52 kg) Yosbany Veitia had already earned his Rio quota before this fixture, but still moved to 7-0 in the opening contest of the evening when he defeated 3-3 Azat Usenaliev.
Veitia is perhaps the most complete fighter in WSB, and expertly showcased his wide range of punches, endless stamina and tight defence against Usenaliev who tried hard, but could not keep up with his opponent.
Lazaro Alvarez is another Cuban who has earned a Rio 2016 quota, and the Domadore finished the group stages number one in the Lightweight (60 kg) rankings with an entertaining win over Viktor Slavinskyi.
London 2012 Olympic gold medalist Roniel Iglesias Sotolongo secured Cuba’s overall win at Welterweight (69 kg) when he dominated Oleg Zubenko.
Sotolongo’s punches are always precise despite the high volume of them, and though Zubenko showed his toughness throughout, it was an impossible job against the Cuban machine.
6-1 Super heavyweight (91+ kg) Lenier Eunice Pero needed a stoppage or unanimous decision success over Ukraine’s Ihor Shevadzutskyi to temporarily move up to first in the rankings, but could only manage a split decision win against his tough opponent.
This was a very tight contest which was won by Pero on two scorecards by a single point, while Shevadzutskyi was awarded the fight by the third judge by the same amount.
Russian Boxing Team narrowly secure away win over Morocco Atlas Lions
Russian Boxing Team finished the World Series of Boxing (WSB) Regular Season with a 3-2 away victory against Morocco Atlas Lions in Casablanca.
The victory assures the Russian Franchise of second place in the Group A table, while Morocco should be proud of their efforts across the entirety of their debut WSB season.
A Lightweight (60 kg) clash began the action where Russia’s 5-1 Adlan Abdurashidov widely outpointed Hamza Rabii.
Despite Rabii’s enthusiasm and effort in the contest, Abdurashidov was the slicker boxer and was more accurate throughout the bout.
Abdurashidov’s win ensured his third place ranking in the Lightweight standings.
Russia then opened up a 2-0 lead on the night after Super heavyweight (91+ kg) 4-1 Maxim Babanin defeated Morocco’s Abouhamada Abdeljalil.
Babanin was the shorter competitor, but set a fast pace constantly and used his jab effectively to set up his fierce uppercuts.
The most significant fight of the evening came at Flyweight (52 kg) where 5-2 home star Achraf Kharroubi temporarily moved to second in the rankings after beating Russian debutant Karen Arutiunian.
Kharroubi is now three points ahead of Puerto Rico’s Jeyvier Cintrón Ocasio who now needs to win in America on Monday night to earn a Rio 2016 Olympic Games quota through WSB.
A marvelous crowd applauded Kharroubi in the fight knowing that a win was vital, and he did not let them down.
The Moroccan star has every punch in the book, and used them all to great effect against Arutiunian.
Sixth ranked Light heavyweight (81 kg) Pavel Silyagin secured the overall contest for Russia, and his fourth split decision success of the season when he defeated Holland’s Peter Mullenberg.
Silyagin was the better fighter in the early stages of the contest, and though Mullenberg rallied late, the judges preferred the work of the Russian.
Morocco’s 7-0 Mohammed Rabii finished the night off with success for his Franchise, and ended the group stages top of the Welterweight (69 kg) rankings with a win over former AIBA Junior World Champion and European Junior Champion Tamerlan Magomedov.
Rabii had already earned his Rio 2016 Olympic quota from WSB heading into this fight, and his supreme confidence was displayed in the first minute as he fast hands caused Magomedov problems.
An injury to the Russian in the second minute of the contest caused the fight to be called off at that stage, which led to Rabii’s seventh successive win of the season.
Mexico Guerreros qualify for WSB quarter-finals with victory over British Lionhearts
A masterful home performance in Aguascalientes from Mexico Guerreros finished with a 4-1 victory over British Lionhearts, and a place in the World Series of Boxing (WSB) knock-out stages.
After Ukraine Otamans lost to Cuba Domadores earlier on Friday night, the Mexican team knew a win over the British Franchise would see them overtake Ukraine into third place, and they achieved their goal in style.
The night began with defeat for Mexico however, when 6-1 Lionheart Joseph Joyce edged a close points win over Edgar Ramirez.
Joyce’s punches were slightly cleaner and crisper than the work of Ramirez, which led to him to being awarded the contest by a single point on all three scorecards.
4-2 Guerrero Orlando Huitzil Ahuatl evened the scoring at Flyweight (52 kg) with a superb victory against Spain’s José Kelvin de la Nieve Linares.
This was the best performance of the season from Ahuatl who outclassed his opponent from the outset, with his fast pace and wicked body shots too much for the Lionheart to handle.
Mexico took the lead at Welterweight when 3-2 Marvin Cabrera outperformed Britain’s 2-4 Haizel Ekow Tabiri-Essuman despite suffering a head injury in the first round.
Following the success of Cabrera, 3-0 Light heavyweight (81 kg) Rogelio Romero knew that a win over John Newell would not only win the fixture for Mexico, but send his team through to the quarter-final stages of WSB.
Just 100 seconds into the contest, Romero had knocked out Newell with a tremendous left hand to send the Mexican crowd into a frenzy.
Mexico’s 4-1 victory was confirmed in the last fight at Lightweight (60 kg) when 4-1 Lindolfo Delgado dropped 0-4 Lionheart Oualid Belaoura in the fourth round en route to a dominant points win.
Confident Caciques Venezuela defeat Rafako Hussars Poland 4-1 in Pruszków
Rafako Hussars Poland vs USA Knockouts Group B Week 13
Caciques Venezuela temporarily moved into third place in the World Series of Boxing (WSB) Group B table after defeating Rafako Hussars Poland 4-1 in Pruszków.
This victory gives the South American Franchise hope of reaching the WSB knock-out stages in their debut season, but they will have to rely on Italia Thunder losing to Astana Arlans Kazakhstan on Saturday night to confirm their quarter-final place.
Venezuela’s 3-2 Eduard Johan Bermúdez Salas enjoyed his first away win of the season in the opening contest with a unanimous points success over Polish Flyweight (52 kg) Grzegorz Kozlowski.
Salas controlled the contest despite being the smaller fighter, and was consistently first to the punch.
Poland’s Mateusz Polski then evened up the scoring as he beat Caciques Lightweight (60 kg) Luis Cabrera by a single points on all three scorecards.
Backed by a supportive crowd, Polski put the pressure on from the opening seconds of the contest, and though Cabrera impressed in the latter stages of the fight, it was not enough to secure the victory.
Venezuela retook the lead at Welterweight (69 kg) after 2013 AIBA World Championships bronze medalist Gabriel Maestre Perez edged a split decision verdict over third ranked Steven Donnelly.
This was the best fight of the evening as two world class boxers gave it their all, but ultimately the fizzing shots from both hands of Maestre impressed the judges more than Donnelly’s work to the body.
Albert Ramon Ramirez Duran then moved up to fourth in the Light heavyweight (81 kg) rankings, and secured the overall victory for Venezuela when he won another split decision verdict against 1-5 Mateusz Jerzy Tryc.
Duran utilised a creative approach in this fight, competing with his hands down for the majority of it while relying on his excellent reflexes to win 49-46 on two scorecards.
Venezuelan Super heavyweight (91+ kg) Edgar Ramon Munoz Mata won his third straight WSB fight in the last bout of the evening when he dropped just one round on a single scorecard to 0-3 Mantas Valavicius.
Clinical China Dragons secure crucial 5-0 victory over Algeria Desert Hawks
Week 13 Group A Match China Dragons vs Mexico Guerreros
China Dragons finished their season in the World Series of Boxing (WSB) with an excellent 5-0 victory over Algeria Desert Hawks.
This result consigned Algeria to bottom place in the Group A table, while the Chinese team was backed by an excellent support at home in Sanya.
An entertaining Flyweight (52 kg) clash started the evening off with success for China as Jianguan Hu won every round against Algeria’s Abdelhakim El Barka.
The combination punching of the Chinese star was marvelous to watch, and he was just too quick and accurate for El Barka.
3-1 Lightweight (60 kg) Jan Shan doubled the advantage of the Dragons after fight number two when he edged a tight split decision verdict over Algerian debutant Faical Chaouche.
Shan was the more powerful boxer and staggered Chaouche on occasion, but the Desert Hawk fighter never gave up and took the last round on two scorecards.
Despite the late success for Chaouche only one judge awarded him the overall contest 48-47, while the remaining two judges awarded it to Shan by three rounds each.
China’s overall win was secured at Welterweight (69 kg) after a blistering performance from Wei Liu who stopped Sofiane Tabi at the end of the fourth round.
This was perhaps the most entertaining fight of the evening, and it was hard to predict a winner after the first two rounds, such was the closeness of the action.
Liu began to dominate from the third round however, and dropped Tabi in the fourth frame after a constant barrage of heavy punches.
After more flurries later on in the round, the contest was eventually ended and the hand of Liu was raised.
Another win for the Dragons occurred at Light heavyweight (81 kg) as Aolin Zhang secured his first success of the season with a points win over Hichem Kaalaour.
The Chinese whitewash was then secured in the last scrap in Sanya when 2-2 Wang Zhibao won by split decision against Mohamed Grimes.
Zhibao used his height very effectively in the fight, and two judges awarded him every round, while the third had Grimes winning by three.
Ukraine Otamans aim to subject Cuba Domadores to their first loss of the season
The last week in the World Series of Boxing (WSB) Regular Season features an excellent match between Season IV Champions Cuba Domadores, and Ukraine Otamans.
After winning the WSB title in their debut season, the Cuban team have remained undefeated in the competition, and seek their 14th consecutive victory of Season V.
Ukraine are in excellent form too, having won four of their last five matches, including an excellent win against Russian Boxing Team last week.
Cuba have already won Group A which means they will qualify directly to the semi-finals, while Ukraine currently sit third in the group, two points behind Russia, and two ahead of Mexico Guerreros.
The team that finishes second in the group will enjoy home advantage in the quarter-finals, so Ukraine will be eager to secure victory in this match against the undefeated Cubans.
Ionut-Mirel Jitaru vs Erislandy Savon (British Lionhearts vs Cuba Domadores)
Ciudad Deportiva, La Habana is the venue for this Group A clash, where on Friday 24th April fans across the world can watch the action free, live and on demand from 20:30 (GMT -4) at AIBABoxingTV.com.
Undefeated 6-0 star Yosbany Veitia opens the evening for Cuba, and the number one ranked Flyweight (52 kg) has already earned a Rio 2016 Olympic Games quota through WSB.
This week he faces 3-2 Azat Usenaliev who is unbeaten at home this season, but has lost both of his away matches in Russia and Mexico.
Veitia won the bronze medal at the 2013 AIBA World Championships, and has excelled in WSB throughout the group stages, boxing 30 rounds and looking comfortable throughout.
Expect this to be an entertaining fight between two boxers with incredibly effective boxing styles.
Cuban Lightweight (60 kg) Lazaro Alvarez is also guaranteed to finish in the top two of his weight class, however the number two ranked fighter will want to make it 7-0 in the Regular Season against Ukraine’s 1-0 Viktor Slavinskyi.
Alvarez has dominated all three of his home matches in Season V, but Slavinskyi impressed in his WSB debut two weeks ago when he defeated the highly ranked Reda Benbaziz.
2012 Olympic gold medalist Roniel Iglesias Sotolongo was expected to be one of the most successful Welterweights (69 kg) in WSB this year, yet two defeats in the Regular Season to Mohammed Rabii and Radzhab Butaev curtailed his hopes of achieving a Rio 2016 quota through this competition.
The Cuban bounced back in his last match with a home win over Mexico’s Héctor Andrés Reyes Anguiano, and searches for a second win in a row against 2-2 Oleg Zubenko.
Although Zubenko does not have a winning record this season, his two defeats came against the same fighters who beat Sotolongo, and the Ukrainian is on a two match winning streak.
A closer contest than many anticipated could be on the cards in this Welterweight tussle, which could be an integral result on the night.
One fighter who needs a more dominant victory is Cuba’s 5-1 Julio Cesar La Cruz who surprisingly lose a fortnight ago to Ecuador’s Carlos Mina.
The result pushed the Cuban down into third in the Light heavyweight (81 kg) rankings, and out of the Rio 2016 Olympic quota places.
La Cruz has to perform better this weekend than either Croatia’s Hrvoje Sep or top ranked Valentino Manfredonia to enter the top two at the last opportunity, but his week 14 opponent could be his toughest of the season to date.
Ukraine’s 4-1 Oleksandr Khyzhniak is ranked fourth at Light heavyweight, and his lone loss was a tight split decision defeat to Russia’s Pavel Silyagin away from home.
That was Khyzhniak’s sole away match in Season V so far, with his four victories all emanating in Kiev.
Khyzhniak has nothing to lose heading into this contest, while La Cruz is one of the most fluid and skilful fighters in the entire competition.
The very fact that La Cruz has to win may give him the edge, but if the pressure grows too strong then Khyzhniak is more than capable of punishing any mistakes.
World Series Boxing Week 12 Group A Ukraine Otamans vs Algeria Desert Hawks 10/05/2015
Cuba’s 5-1 Lenier Eunice Pero is ranked second at Super heavyweight (91+ kg) but only one Rio 2016 quota is available from the heaviest weight class in WSB.
Four points behind Croatia’s dominant Filip Hrgovic heading into the last week of action, Pero needs a stoppage or a unanimous decision victory against Ukraine’s Ihor Shevadzutskyi to maintain any hopes of overtaking Hrgovic.
Shevadzutskyi will have the power advantage in this contest after stopping his last two opponents, while Pero’s six fights have all gone to points.
The Cuban is an excellent boxer however, and is one of the quickest fighters in the division which may be his key weapon across the five rounds.
Can Caciques Venezuela defeat Rafako Hussars Poland to keep quarter-final dreams alive?
After a home victory last week in the World Series of Boxing (WSB) against USA Knockouts, Rafako Hussars Poland finish the Regular Season by hosting Caciques Venezuela.
The South American Franchise have impressed many boxing aficionados in their debut WSB season, and they have the potential to qualify for the quarter-finals if they win away in Poland.
Venezuela are fourth in the Group B table, a single point behind Italia Thunder who have the ominous task of meeting the undefeated Astana Arlans Kazakhstan on Saturday night.
Although the Polish team cannot qualify from the group, they too have aspirations to move up the table and could potentially finish the group stages in fifth place.
Caciques de Venezuela vs Italia Thunder
Will Poland’s excellent home win last week replicate itself again? Or will Venezuela defy the odds once more and secure their eighth victory of the campaign?
Hala Znicz, Pruszków is the venue for this Group B clash, where on Friday 24th April fans across the world can watch the action free, live and on demand from 20:30 (GMT +2) at AIBABoxingTV.com.
Polish Flyweight (52 kg) Grzegorz Kozlowski has lost both of his matches this season on points, so will want to finish with a victory when he meets Venezuela’s 2-2 Eduard Johan Bermúdez Salas.
Both of Kozlowski’s defeats came away from home, which means the Polish star can look forward to home support for the first time in WSB, while Salas has lost his two away matches, including a first round stoppage setback against Jeyvier Cintrón Ocasio.
Winning the first bout of a WSB fixture can often set the tempo for the rest of the evening, so a victory for either boxer will help out their team massively.
The Lightweights (60 kg) are in action next, where Mateusz Polski faces Luis Cabrera.
Polski endured a disappointing split decision loss in his WSB debut two weeks ago in Italy against Fabio Introvaia, while Cabrera began his career in the competition with success on the same weekend after beating Argentina’s Brian Ivan Nunez.
Cabrera is perhaps the faster boxer though he lost the last round against Nunez, whereas Polski dominated the second half of his contest with Introvaia.
Ireland’s Steven Donnelly has excelled for Rafako Hussars Poland this season, and the third ranked Welterweight (69 kg) looks for his sixth WSB win against 2013 AIBA World Championships bronze medalist Gabriel Maestre Perez.
A split decision success over Dario Morello two weeks ago was not enough for Donnelly to stay in the hunt for a Rio 2016 Olympic quota through WSB, while Perez has lost both of his away matches in the competition despite excellent home form.
Both boxers therefore will be eager to make a statement in their last match of the group stages, so will the attacking style of Donnelly or the slick reflexes of Perez prove to be the most important attribute in the fight?
Poland have only won a single match at Light heavyweight (81 kg) in Season V, which was a walkover win for 1-4 Mateusz Jerzy Tryc who fights Venezuela’s fifth ranked Albert Ramon Ramirez Duran.
Duran’s lone loss this season was to the second ranked Hrvoje Sep via split decision, and he has looked excellent in his victories.
Tryc also pushed Sep to a split decision in week two of the season, and if both boxers can replicate their best form, we could be in for an outstanding battle.
The night closes at Super heavyweight (91+ kg) and if Venezuela need a victory in the last match of the evening, they will be happy to rely on Edgar Ramon Munoz Mata, a fighter on a two bout winning streak.
Poland’s representative will be 0-2 Mantas Valavicius, who showed a great chin and immense toughness when he took both Arslanbek Makhmudov and Clayton Laurent Jr to points earlier in the season.
Puerto Rico Hurricanes vs Azerbaijan Baku Fires,
Who will finish bottom of Group A after China Dragons meet Algeria Desert Hawks?
China Dragons finish their World Series of Boxing (WSB) season with a home match against Algeria Desert Hawks, a fixture which shall determine who will finish bottom of the Group A table.
The Algerian Franchise are currently eighth and last in the table with eight points, one behind seventh placed China.
Both teams have identical wins and losses with 18 successes and 47 defeats across their 65 bouts, and each has won two of their 13 fixtures.
Algeria will be confident after winning the African derby last week against Morocco Atlas Lions, while China’s two victories this season have both come at home.
Mangrovetree Convention Center, Sanya is the venue for this Group A clash, where on Friday 24th April fans across the world can watch the action free, live and on demand from 20:00 (GMT +8) at AIBABoxingTV.com.
Chinese Flyweight (52 kg) Jianguan Hu will aim to get the Dragons off to a winning start in the opening contest of the evening, as he battles Algeria’s Abdelhakaim El Barka.
Hu won his opening match of the season but has since lost two in a row, while El Barka is winless in four bouts.
All four of El Barka’s matches have gone the distance however, so expect this to be 25 minutes of fast and furious action.
2-1 Lightweight (60 kg) Jun Shan has been one of China’s best boxers across the group stages, and has won both of his home matches on points.
This week he meets Algerian debutant Faical Chaouche who replaces the fourth ranked Lightweight Reda Benbaziz in the Desert Hawks team.
An exciting Welterweight (69 kg) clash follows between 1-3 Wei Liu and Algeria’s 0-4 Sofiane Tabi.
Liu’s lone win this season came against Britain’s Haizel Ekow Tabiri-Essuman in week eight, while Tabi has entertained even after losing all of his matches in Season V.
Despite the losing records of both boxers, they each offer toughness and excellent stamina, which will make this match an important one on the night.
0-2 Aolin Zhang and 0-1 Hichem Kaalaour are each looking for their first victories of the campaign, so their Light heavyweight (81 kg) clash will be significant for not only their teams, but also for the boxers at an individual level.
The closeness of both teams in the table signifies that every match will be a tight battle, and everything could come down to the last contest of the evening which will be at Super heavyweight (91+ kg.)
China’s 1-2 Wang Zhibao memorably defeated Mexico’s Edgar Ramirez in week six of WSB, and will hope for a similar result against Algeria’s 1-1 Mohamed Grimes who beat Ireland’s Dean Gardiner a month ago.
Mexico Guerreros make last attempt to reach WSB knockout stages against British Lionhearts
WSB, Mexico Guerreros defeat British Lionhearts in London
Mexico Guerreros host British Lionhearts in the last week of the Regular Season in the World Series of Boxing (WSB) knowing that only a victory will keep their hopes alive of staying in the competition.
The Mexican team are currently fourth in the Group A table, two points behind Ukraine Otamans, and four below Russian Boxing Team.
Excellent home form has been an integral part of the success of the Guerreros this season, after five wins from six matches, while the British team have struggled away from home with only one success from six attempts.
This could be the last match of Season V for both Franchises, so the pair will look to finish with aplomb.
Plaza De Toros San Marcos, Aguascalientes is the venue for this Group A clash, where on Friday 24th April fans across the world can watch the action free, live and on demand from 20:30 (GMT -5) at AIBABoxingTV.com.
A Flyweight (52 kg) contest opens the evening where home star Orlando Huitzil Ahuatl meets Spain’s José Kelvin de la Nieve Linares.
Ahuatl is 3-2 this season and looked impressive in losing efforts to Vasiliy Vetkin and Yosbany Veitia, while Linares achieved his first win of the campaign two weeks ago against Vetkin.
Both boxers have a wide array of abilities in the boxing ring, and this has all the hallmarks to contain five rounds of excellent action.
3-1 Mexican Lightweight (60 kg) Lindolfo Delgado is unbeaten at home for his Franchise, and will look for his fourth assault in Aguascalientes against 0-3 Lionheart Oualid Belaoura.
All three of Belaoura’s defeats have come in away matches, while Delgado is a points machine when he boxes in front of his home fans.
Marvin Cabrera has been one of Mexico’s most successful boxers across the history of WSB, but the Welterweight (69 kg) started Season V with two successive defeats.
Since then his form has improved, and he seeks his third consecutive victory when he faces Britain’s 2-3 Haizel Ekow Tabiri-Essuman.
Essuman has impressed many with his composure and movement in his debut season, and though he has lost his last three bouts, the Brit will be confident that he can upset a WSB legend in Mexico.
The Light heavyweights (81 kg) compete next, and 2-0 Rogelio Romero battles 1-1 John Newell.
Romero has defeated Shi Guojun and Hichem Kaalaour in his two matches, while Newell was on the wrong end of a close split decision verdict against Yibulayin Abudureyimu six weeks ago.
Britain’s Joseph Joyce lost his undefeated record, and his chances of a Rio 2016 Olympic Games quota through WSB a fortnight ago, but the third ranked Super heavyweight (91+ kg) has had an amazing season, and will be determined to finish with another impressive performance.
With three stoppages amongst his five wins, Joyce is one of the most powerful brawlers in WSB, which will concern Mexico’s Edgar Ramirez who has lost two of his last three matches.
Morocco Atlas Lions look to end debut WSB season by defeating Russian Boxing Team
Joseph Joyce vs Maxim Babanin (British Lionhearts vs Russian Boxing Team)
Morocco Atlas Lions have been an excellent addition to the World Series of Boxing (WSB) this season, and they end their debut campaign at home to Russian Boxing Team.
Both of these teams are coming off significant defeats, with Morocco losing the African derby to Algeria Desert Hawks a week ago, while Russia fell 3-2 against Ukraine Otamans.
The Moroccan Franchise have won their last two home matches however, and will feel confident against a Russian side who have lost two of their last three away fixtures.
Russia are currently second in the Group A table, two points ahead of Ukraine Otamans who they need to stay in front of if they are to enjoy home advantage in the quarter-finals.
Hyatt Regency, Casablanca is the venue for this Group A clash, where on Friday 24th April fans across the world can watch the action free, live and on demand from 22:00 (GMT +1) at AIBABoxingTV.com.
Achraf Kharroubi has been one of Morocco’s best boxers this season, and the 4-2 Flyweight (52 kg) is ranked third heading into his last match of the campaign.
Two Light flyweights will earn an Olympic quota, but Kharroubi is currently two points behind second placed Puerto Rican Jeyvier Cintrón Ocasio in the race to Rio.
Kharroubi’s four victories have come against supreme talents, while he will feel unlucky that his two defeats both came via split decision, including when he faced Cuba’s number one ranked Yosbany Veitia.
The African star knows he has to better the result of his North American rival Ocasio, and he will have to defeat Russian debutant Karen Arutiunian in some style.
A Lightweight (60 kg) clash follows between Desert Hawk Hamza Rabii who won in China a fortnight ago, against Russia’s 4-1 Adlan Abdurashidov.
Abdurashidov is ranked third at Lightweight this season after four excellent wins, but cannot earn an Olympic quota following the excellent form of Lazaro Alvarez and number one placed Albert Selimov.
6-0 Mohammed Rabii has been one of the greatest success stories in Season V, with the Moroccan Welterweight (69 kg) a virtual unknown at the start of the group stages, before earning a Rio 2016 Olympic quota through this competition.
Now ranked second at Welterweight after victories over the likes of Olympic gold medalist Roniel Iglesias Sotolongo, Rabii has a chance to finish the Regular Season at the top of the rankings, as his Russian rival Radzhab Butaev will not be competing in Casablanca.
Instead, former AIBA Junior World Champion and European Junior Champion Tamerlan Magomedov will battle against the undefeated Rabii, who has adapted superbly to the styles of all of his opponents so far in the competition.
Dutch Light heavyweight (81 kg) Peter Mullenberg has won his last two matches for Morocco, but faces tough opposition this week when he meets Russia’s sixth ranked Pavel Silyagin.
Three of Silyagin’s wins have come via split decision in the group stages, while all four of Mullenberg’s matches have gone the distance, so expect a close, technical affair between these two talented boxers.
The last bout of the evening is at Super heavyweight (91+ kg), where 2-2 home favourite Abouhamada Abdeljalil faces Russia’s Gasan Gimbatov. Abdeljalil is a very tough and resolute fighter who is undefeated at home in WSB.
Captivating Caciques Venezuela defeat Italia Thunder in Maiquetía
Caciques Venezuela recovered from losing the first two legs in Maiquetía to defeat Italia Thunder 3-2 in a pulsating World Series of Boxing (WSB) clash.
The victory for the South American Franchise means they are just a single point behind third placed Italy in the Group B table, with one match of the Regular Season to go.
There was early team and individual success for the Italian team in the opening match of the evening when Ireland’s Patrick Barnes earned his seventh successive victory of the season, and finished top of the Light flyweight (49 kg) rankings after he defeated Venezuela’s Yoel Finol.
Only one Rio 2016 Olympic Games quota was available for the Light flyweights, and Barnes needed to win following Hasanboy Dusmatov’s success on Friday night.
He showed no nerves against Finol, knocking down his opponent in the first round and utilised his power and pressure consistently throughout the fight.
USA Knocouts vs Italia Thunder
Barnes won 49-45 on two scorecards, while the third judge awarded the contest to the Venezuelan 48-47.
Despite the split decision verdict, the win was enough to send Barnes back to the top of the Light flyweight rankings, and earn him a Rio 2016 quota.
Another Irish fighter to succeed for the Italy on the night was 5-2 Michael Conlan, who also achieved his own Olympic quota by beating José Vicente Azocar.
Conlan began the WSB weekend ranked third at Bantamweight (56 kg), but after Azerbaijan’s Magomed Gurbanov lost in Puerto Rico, his Olympic destiny was secured with a 49-46 win across the board against his South American opponent.
The Irish star expertly displayed his unorthodox style and elusive reflexes en route to the victory, and the valuable second place in the Bantamweight rankings.
Italy’s Vincenzo Mangiacapre headed into his fight with Venezuela’s Luis Arcón knowing that a stoppage or unanimous decision win would not only seal the overall victory for Italy on the night, but also secure a top two ranking in the Light welterweight (64 kg) division and an Olympic quota.
Unfortunately for the Italian he was up against a motivated Arcón who was the busier fighter in the opening three rounds.
Though Mangiacapre made a comeback it was too late, and he lost the match, plus his Olympic opportunities through WSB 48-47 according to all three judges.
The Venezuelan team evened up the match after fight number four at Middleweight (75 kg) when Nalek Rachid Korbaj Barrerra dominated Italy’s Salvatore Cavallaro in a very entertaining clash.
With everything to play for heading into the last bout at Heavyweight (91 kg), it was down to either home star Alfonso Flores or Italian debutant Giuseppe Claudio Squeo to become a hero for their team.
Squeo was aggressive in the opening stages of the fight, but Flores remained composed and eventually won on all three scorecards, securing a famous victory for Venezuela which maintains their hopes of reaching the knockout stages in their debut season.
Caciques Venezuela travel to Rafako Hussars Poland in the last week of the Regular Season, while Italia Thunder host Astana Arlans Kazakhstan.
The second ever World Series of Boxing (WSB) African derby was won by Algeria Desert Hawks 4-1 over Morocco Atlas Lions.
This was only the second win for Algeria in Season V of WSB, but their wonderful performance more than warranted the victory, and offers sweet revenge after narrowly losing the first derby earlier on in the campaign.
Morocco will be disappointed at losing their first match in four fixtures, but will take some comfort from remaining three places above their African opponents in the Group A table.
Algeria set the template for their overall victory in the first bout of the evening at Light flyweight (49 kg), when Zoheir Toudjine won his first match of the season in five attempts against Zouhair El Bekkali.
No Algerian Light flyweight had achieved success across six fixtures, so Toudjine will be delighted to destroy that record.
The Atlas Lions levelled up the scoring at Bantamweight (56 kg) after 3-2 Mohamed Hamout widely outpointed 0-4 Fahem Hammachi.
Hamout looked excellent in the bout and teamed fast hands with a wide array of shots.
Light welterweight (64 kg) Ahmed Boudiaf recovered from the losing the first round against Morocco’s Hamza El Barbari to win perhaps the most entertaining fight of the night.
Boudiaf took control in round two, before dropping El Barbari in the third frame.
Moments after the knockdown, the ringside doctor ruled that the Moroccan could not continue due to a head injury, which resulted in Algeria’s second win of the evening.
Ilyas Abbadi has been one of Algeria’s most successful boxers this season, and the star enjoyed his fourth successive home win over Said Harnouf to secure the famous victory for his Franchise.
Abbadi delighted the crowd with his entertaining style, and completely dominated Harnouf over the course of their contest.
The win means that Abbadi finishes the Regular Season sixth in the Middleweight (75 kg) rankings.
Another stoppage occurred in the last match of the night when Heavyweight (91 kg) Bouziane Houna finished Amine Azzouzi in round two.
Houna had dropped Azzouzi twice earlier in the round, and after another flurry the referee called an end to the bout.
Algeria Desert Hawks travel to China Dragons next week in the last match of the Regular Season, while Morocco Atlas Lions host Russian Boxing Team.
Mohammed Rabii (Morocco Atlas Lions)
Astana Arlans Kazakhstan win 13th WSB fight in a row against Argentina Condors
Astana Arlans Kazakhstan recovered from losing the first match of the evening to secure a 4-1 away win in the World Series of Boxing (WSB) against Argentina Condors.
Not only was this Kazakhstan’s 13th consecutive win in Season V, but their Heavyweight (91 kg) star Vassiliy Levit also achieved a Rio 2016 Olympic Games quota through WSB after stopping Argentina’s Diego Blanche in the last fight of the evening.
Levit has now won all seven of his bouts this season, and the victory over Blanche represented his fifth TKO success of the campaign.
Only one qualification spot for the Olympic Games next year was available at Heavyweight, but Levit never looked troubled against Banche and dominated throughout the two rounds.
His five stoppages means that he finishes top of the Heavyweight rankings despite achieving the same amount of points as Cuba’s Erislandy Savon, and ensures his Rio 2016 quota as a result of that incredible achievement.
The night began with a rare loss for Kazakhstan after 3-2 Condors Light flyweight (49 kg) Junior Zarate won by unanimous decision over Zhomart Yerzhan.
Zarate was the faster man in the ring, and his aggression ultimately carried him to victory.
Kazakhstan began their comeback at Bantamweight (56 kg) when 2013 AIBA World Championships bronze medalist Kairat Yeraliyev achieved his second victory of the season against debutant Jonathan Emanuel Sanchez.
Astana Arlans took the lead in Argentina in the next fight following Samat Bashenov’s fifth successive WSB win.
Bashenov, the fifth ranked Light welterweight (64 kg) in Season V was excellent in his contest with Lucas Ivan Gimenez and won every round.
The team from Kazakhstan opened up an unassailable 3-1 lead at Middleweight (75 kg) when 2013 AIBA World Champion Zhanibek Alimkhanuly defeated Christian Zarate on points.
Alimkhanuly dropped Zarate in round one, but the Argentine fighter was brave and managed to carry on until the end of the contest.
Argentina Condors travel to Azerbaijan Baku Fires next week, while Astana Arlans Kazakhstan visit Italia Thunder.
World Series Boxing Week 12 Group A Ukraine Otamans vs Algeria Desert Hawks 10/05/2015
Revitalized Rafako Hussars Poland dominate USA Knockouts in Szczecin
Rafako Hussars Poland won their penultimate home match in the World Series of Boxing (WSB) Regular Season 4-1 against USA Knockouts.
The victory gave a great reward to Poland’s excellent home support in Szczecin, and came as a result of their hard work and dedication.
Poland began the fixture with a 1-0 lead after USA’s Joshua Franco was unable to compete in his Light flyweight (49 kg) match with Dawid Sebastian Jagodzinski.
One victory turned to a second at Bantamweight (56 kg) when Sylwester Kozlowski enjoyed a points win over 4-3 Francisco Martinez.
Kozlowski looked the bigger man in the ring, and was the pressure fighter across the close contest which finished with all three judges awarding the bout to the Polish star.
Martinez started the campaign with four successive wins, and though he has now lost three in a row, the boxer has only just turned 19, and should be proud with how his debut WSB season has gone.
2-1 Tra-Kwon Pettis pulled back a win for the Knockouts at Light welterweight (64 kg) with a wide points decision over Kazimierz Łęgowski.
Pettis utilised fast flurries and used his reach incredibly well which caused significant problems for Łęgowski.
WSB Week 11 Match Rafako Hussars Poland vs Azerbaijan Baku Fires 28:03:2015
The American comeback was stopped at Middleweight (75 kg) when Tomasz Jablonski enjoyed his sixth victory of the season, and the overall result for Poland against USA’s Anthony Campbell.
Jablonski has been Poland’s best boxer this season, and began this week with an outside chance of earning a Rio 2016 Olympic Games quota through WSB.
Although he defeated Campbell, he ultimately finished third in the Middleweight rankings, and outside of the Olympic qualification places despite having the same amount of points as Arlen Lopez and Petr Khamukov.
Throughout all five rounds of his contest with Campbell, the Polish fighter expertly showed why he has been so successful this season, and his overhand right was a constant weapon.
Poland secured their fourth triumph of the night at Heavyweight (91 kg) when Michal Olas dropped USA’s Joshua Temple en route to a unanimous decision result.
Rafako Hussars host Caciques Venezuela next week in the last match of the group stages, while USA Knockouts are at home to Puerto Rico Hurricanes.
Ukraine Otamans defeat Russian Boxing Team in a classic WSB contest
An excellent night of World Series of Boxing (WSB) action in Kyiv was won by Ukraine Otamans who defeated Russian Boxing Team 3-2.
This was an important result for Ukraine after Mexico Guerreros won earlier in the day, and after retaking third in the Group A table, they are now just two points behind the Russian Franchise with one match of the Regular Season to go.
The fixture also held much significance for many individual competitors as it represented their last match of the group stages, and their final chance to earn a Rio 2016 Olympic Games quota through WSB.
Uzbekistan’s Light flyweight (49 kg) Hasanboy Dusmatov has been an excellent operator for the Otamans this season, and earned his seventh successive win in the opening contest by defeating Russia’s 0-2 Belik Galanov.
Only one Olympic quota is available at Light flyweight, and Dusmatov temporarily moved to the top of the rankings after this victory which leaves him three points ahead of Ireland’s Patrick Barnes who competes on Saturday night.
Dusmatov was excellent against Galanov, and dictated the pace of the bout throughout.
Ukraine went 2-0 up in the second bout of the evening by finally winning their first match of the season at Light welterweight (64 kg).
Volodymyr Matviichuk had lost two of those six contests, but achieved a marvelous performance when he beat Russian National Championships bronze medallist Grigorii Lizunenko on points.
Matviichuk was busy in every round, and kept on top of Lizunenko whose sole success was winning the third round on all three scorecards.
Following the early Ukrainian successes, Russia’s 6-0 Petr Khamukov needed to win at Middleweight (75 kg) if his Franchise was to have any chance of winning the overall contest, but he also entered the ring with another mission on his mind.
The Middleweight (75 kg) led the rankings at the beginning of the week, while his undefeated opponent Hurshidbek Normatov could also qualify for Rio if he defeated his Russian rival in Kyiv.
Despite being the shorter fighter, Khamukov was much stronger, and used his boxing brain to manhandle Normatov across the ring throughout their meeting.
After five rounds, Khamukov’s hand was raised, earning Russia their first victory of the match, whilst moving him back to the top of the Middleweight rankings where an Olympic quota awaits.
6-0 Russian Bantamweight (56 kg) Vladimir Nikitin then evened up the scoring, and secured his own Rio quota with a unanimous points win over 0-2 Omurbek Malabekov.
This was a surprisingly close fight considering the gulf in the rankings between the two fighters, but though Malabekov presented a lot of problems, the exemplary Nikitin eventually pulled away and sealed the win.
Nikitin is now assured of finishing in the top two places at Bantamweight, no matter what happens on Saturday night.
With everything to play for heading into the last match of the evening at Heavyweight (91 kg), two men making their first appearances of the season competed against each other.
Ukraine’s Gevorg Manukyan was a relative unknown in WSB heading into this bout, but made a huge name for himself by outperforming Russia’s Sergey Kalchugin and secured a memorable win for his team.
Manukyan displayed tremendous stamina for a Heavyweight, and the Ukrainian stunned Kalchugin on occasion with the accuracy of his shots.
After this victory, Ukraine Otamans visit Cuba Domadores in the last match of the Regular Season, while Russian Boxing Team travel to Morocco Atlas Lions.
Mexico Guerreros maintain knockout dreams with away win over China Dragons
WEEK 1 Match Ukraine Otamans vs Mexico Guerreros
A solid 4-1 away victory against China Dragons ensured Mexico Guerreros returned to winning ways in the World Series of Boxing (WSB), and kept alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stages of Season V.
The Mexican Franchise are now two points behind third placed Ukraine Otamans with just one match of the Regular Season to go.
A passionate crowd at the Mangrovetree Convention Center, Sanya was treated to five bouts of high action, which began at Light flyweight (49 kg) when 6-1 Joselito Velázquez Altamirano defeated China’s He Junjun by split decision.
Both of these boxers have competed well this season, but the Mexican fighter produced the better work throughout the fight, although Junjun managed to sting his elusive guard a couple of times during each round.
China evened up the scoring at Bantamweight (56 kg) when 3-2 Diao Jianhao won another split decision verdict over Sergio Alfredo Chirino Sánchez.
Jianhao was awarded the contest 49-46 by two judges due to his power punches and busier output, while Sánchez won 48-47 according to the third scorecard.
In the most significant individual match of the evening, Mexico’s 6-1 Raúl Curiel García temporarily moved to second in the Light welterweight (64 kg) rankings after winning every round against Jun Yang.
Despite the wide gap on the scorecards, Yang was competitive throughout, yet the main difference was that every time he managed to punch Curiel, the Mexican responded with a flurry of accurate shots which changed the landscape of each round.
With two Olympic quotas available at the weight class through WSB, Curiel is currently four points ahead of Vincenzo Mangiacapre and Gaybatulla Gadzhialiyev who both compete on Saturday night.
Babic vs Joyce (China Dragons vs British Lionhearts
If neither fighter wins their last contest then Curiel will finish second in the rankings, and achieve a potential place in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Mexico achieved the overall victory at Middleweight (75 kg) as Misael Uriel Rodríguez Oliva outpointed Zhou Di in the most entertaining bout of the evening.
Both men stood toe-to-toe from the opening bell, and landed frequent heavy shots on each other throughout each frame.
The work of the Guerrero was more impressive however, and despite losing the last round on two scorecards he was awarded a unanimous decision verdict.
Julio Cesar Castillo Torres then ended Mexico’s evening with a flourish when the 3-0 Heavyweight (91 kg) stopped China’s Li Mingtao with a sharp left hook in round two of their contest.
Mexico Guerreros finish their Regular Season next week at home to British Lionhearts, while China Dragons host Algeria Desert Hawks.
Cuba Domadores go 13-0 in Season V as they defeat British Lionhearts in London
In front of a large crowd at London’s Copper Box Arena, Cuba Domadores defeated British Lionhearts 5-0 and achieved their 13th consecutive victory in Season V of the World Series of Boxing (WSB).
The Cuban team entered this fixture after the historic news was revealed that the International Boxing Association (AIBA) has become the exclusive partner for all Cuban boxers from the Cuban Boxing Federation whenever they compete in international boxing competitions, and their WSB team celebrated the occasion with five superb victories.
Despite losing the match, the British team impressed throughout the night, and many of their boxers put in spirited and tenacious performances.
This was the last fixture of the Regular Season for the weight classes competing in London, and many Cuban fighters improved their chances of earning a qualification quota for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games through WSB.
In the first fight of the evening, Britain’s 0-1 Light flyweight (49 kg) Joseph Maphosa made his WSB debut against Cuba’s 18-year-old sensation 5-2 Joahnys Oscar Argilagos Perez.
Despite making his first appearance in the competition against such a highly rated prospect, Maphosa was not overawed and began the bout in a composed fashion, beating the Cuban to the jab and looking sharp.
Argilagos improved as the fight progressed, and displayed his quick hands and dynamic reflexes to just edge the majority of the rounds.
Maphosa never gave up however, and constantly moved forward to try and cleanly hit the elusive Cuban.
After five rounds, Argilagos edged a split decision verdict, winning 50-45 and 48-47 on two scorecards, while Maphosa won 48-47 according to the third judge.
Two-time Commonwealth Games medalist Sean McGoldrick then entered the ring for a Bantamweight (56 kg) clash with Cuba’s Andy Cruz Gomez.
McGoldrick won the first round on two scorecards after exhibiting some powerful shots, but as in the first bout, the Cuban fighter recovered well and began to exercise control in the later rounds.
Despite his young age, Cruz performs well in all facets of boxing, and combined a strong defence with an outstanding array of attacks.
Anthony Fowler – British Lionhearts
Perhaps the biggest difference between the two fighters was stamina, as McGoldrick tired towards the end of the fight despite constantly throwing shots, and Cruz ultimate claimed the win on all three scorecards 50-45, 49-46, and 48-47.
Cruz is now 5-0 in WSB this season, and temporarily tops the Bantamweight rankings, but will have to rely on the failure of others this weekend if he is to earn one of the two Rio 2016 quota places through this competition.
Cuba’s Olympic Games bronze medalist and two-time AIBA World Championships silver medalist Yasniel Toledo started his Light welterweight (64 kg) match with Britain’s Samuel Maxwell like a whirlwind, and he landed many power shots on Maxwell in the first three minutes which led to a 10-8 round across the board.
Toledo kept up the pressure in the second and third rounds, but the resolute and tough Maxwell fought back in the fourth frames and caught the Cuban several times.
The fifth round was a different story, as Toledo again came out quickly and used his power to great effect, causing the referee gave the brave Maxwell two standing counts, before stopping the bout midway through the round after another Toledo barrage.
This result gave Cuba the overall victory on the night, and sent Toledo to the top of the Light welterweight rankings, four points ahead of Vincenzo Mangiacapre and Gaybatulla Gadzhialiyev who compete later this weekend.
Cuba’s Arlen Lopez then won his sixth match of the season against British debutant Troy Williamson.
Both men came out swinging from the first bell, and Lopez dropped Williamson in the second round after a terrific left hook.
Williamson showed great toughness to recover from the knockdown, and the fight developed into an attacking masterclass, as each boxer threw caution to the wind for the entire contest.
The final scorecards of 50-43 twice and 50-44 did not flatter Lopez who won every round, but Williamson should take great confidence from standing up to dozens of power punches from one of WSB’s best boxers.
Lopez moves to first in the Middleweight (75 kg) rankings, but will be aware that three further fighters could join him on 30 points at the end of the WSB weekend if they win their respective bouts.
Ionut-Mirel Jitaru vs Erislandy Savon (British Lionhearts vs Cuba Domadores)
Erislandy Savon sealed the whitewash victory for the Domadores, and took his Season V record to 7-0 when he stopped Romania’s 0-5 Ionut-Mirel Jitaru in round two of their bout.
A terrific right uppercut dropped Jitaru, and the preciseness of the shot drew gasps and admiration from the crowd in London.
Savon’s victory takes him to the top of the Heavyweight (91 kg) rankings, five points ahead of Kazakhstan’s Vassiliy Levit who will need to win via unanimous decision or by stoppage on Saturday night to retake the lead and claim the sole Olympic quota for the weight class.
British Lionhearts travel to Mexico Guerreros in their last match of the group stages next week, while Cuba Domadores host Ukraine Otamans.
A classic in Kyiv is anticipated when Ukraine Otamans meet Russian Boxing Team
Ukraine Otamans host Russian Boxing Team in a key World Series of Boxing (WSB) match with plenty of team and individual glory on the line.
The Ukrainian Franchise are currently third in Group A, two points ahead of Mexico Guerreros and four behind second placed Russia.
With Cuba Domadores having already won the group, the battle for second is all important because the team that finishes in that position will have home advantage in the quarter-finals, while the third ranked team will fight away from home.
This is the penultimate round of the Regular Season, and for the weight classes competing in Kyiv it is their last match of the group stages, which means that those fighters hoping to achieve a Rio 2016 Olympic Games quota through WSB need to win.
Sports Palace, Kyiv is the venue for this Group A clash, where on Friday 17th April fans across the world can watch the action free, live and on demand from 21:30 (GMT +3) at AIBABoxingTV.com.
Unlike many of the weight divisions in WSB, only one Olympic quota is available for the Light flyweights (49 kg) where Uzbekistan’s Hasanboy Dusmatov is currently second in the rankings.
The 6-0 star has been one of the best boxers for the Ukrainian team this season, but is two points behind Ireland’s Patrick Barnes in the race to Rio.
To have any chance of overtaking Barnes, Dusmatov will have to defeat Russia’s 0-1 Belik Galanov whose lone appearance of Season V was a losing effort to Cuba’s Joahnys Oscar Argilagos Perez.
Dusmatov has been a points machine this season, and has won by unanimous decision five times.
The Uzbek star controls matches from the outset and is very evasive, but there is a chance he may utilise a more aggressive style in this match to ensure a decisive victory.
Russia’s 5-0 Vladimir Nikitin is second in the Bantamweight (56 kg) rankings, where he currently sits in an Olympic quota place with one match to go.
The Russian fighter has won four of his five matches at home, with his lone away appearance resulting in a split decision victory over Mexico’s Sergio Alfredo Chirino Sánchez.
Nikitin is three points ahead of third placed Michael Conlan, which means a win by points or via stoppage will earn him an Olympic quota.
His opponent in Kiev is 0-1 Omurbek Malabekov who lost to Andy Cruz Gomez in week seven of the competition.
Malabekov is an experienced boxer who has already competed in three AIBA World Championships at the age of 23, and will see this match as a chance to make a name for himself in WSB.
Ukraine have yet to win a match at Light welterweight (64 kg) in six attempts this season, so 0-2 Volodymyr Matviichuk carries their last chance to accomplish a victory at the weight class when he meets Russian National Championships bronze medallist Grigorii Lizunenko.
Next up is a Middleweight (75 kg) shootout where the winner of the fight will give themselves a fantastic chance of qualifying for Rio, while the loser will almost certainly lose their Olympic dreams for the time being.
Russia’s Petr Khamukov is one of the most powerful boxers in WSB, and the number one ranked Middleweight (75 kg) has stopped four of his five opponents this season.
Although Khamukov tops the Middleweight standings, he has the same number of points as Arlen Lopez, Tomasz Jablonski and his last opponent of the Regular Season, Hurshidbek Normatov.
Both fighters have identical 5-0 records, and each has 25 points in the rankings, which means there is very little to split the two boxers in this competition.
With four fighters carrying the same points total, plus Meiirim Nursultanov just a further point behind, there is also a chance that if this fight finishes as a split decision, both boxers will fall outside of the top two.
That fact makes a fascinating contest even more intriguing as it matches the brute strength and power of Khamukov with the pure boxing style of Normatov, who has gone the distance in four of his five fights so far.
Will Khamukov seek to end the fight early as he has done so often this season, or will Normatov manage to avoid the power and concentrate on his own fluid style?
The last bout of the evening is at Heavyweight (91 kg) where both competitors make their first appearance in Season V as Ukraine’s Gevorg Manukyan faces Russia’s WSB veteran Sergey Kalchugin.
Can Mexico Guerreros resume their winning form when they face China Dragons?
China Dragons host Mexico Guerreros in the penultimate match of the World Series of Boxing (WSB) Regular Season for both teams.
The Mexican Franchise saw their run of six successive victories snapped last week in Cuba, while China have only won a single fight in their last four WSB matches which means both teams will be desperate to claim a valuable victory in Sanya.
China have already beaten Morocco Atlas Lionhearts and British Lionhearts at home this season, and pushed Ukraine Otamans close earlier in the campaign.
Mexico sit fourth in Group A, two points behind the Ukrainian Franchise who they are desperately trying to overtake as only three teams from the group will make the knock-out stages of the competition.
Mangrovetree Convention Center, Sanya is the venue for this Group A clash, where on Friday 17th April fans across the world can watch the action free, live and on demand from 20:00 (GMT +8) at AIBABoxingTV.com.
As both teams seek to claim a priceless win, Mexico’s 5-1 Raúl Curiel García also hopes to earn a Rio 2016 Olympic Games quota through WSB.
The Mexican fighter is currently third in the Light welterweight (64 kg) rankings, level on points with Cuba’s Yasnier Toledo and one point behind Vincenzo Mangiacapre and Gaybatulla Gadzhialiyev.
With two Olympic quotas available for the Light welterweights, García needs to defeat China’s 1-1 Jun Yang in his last match of the Regular Season to maintain any hope of reaching Rio.
García is undefeated in three away matches this season, but he needs to be careful against Yang who stopped Morocco’s Hamza El Barbari in week three of the competition, and took the fifth ranked Russian Vitaliy Dunaytsev to the scorecards a month ago.
WEEK 1 Match Ukraine Otamans vs Mexico Guerreros
Light flyweight (49 kg) action begins the evening where China’s seventh ranked He Junjun meets Mexico’s third placed Joselito Velázquez Altamirano.
Since losing in the first week of WSB to Hasanboy Dusmatov, the 5-1 Mexican has won his last five fights including impressive wins over the likes of Joahnys Oscar Argilagos Perez and Vasilii Egorov.
3-1 Junjun started the season with a superb win in London against Ashley Williams, and has impressed many with his talents across the campaign.
Both fighters are supremely quick, and this could be one of the most entertaining battles of the entire weekend.
A Bantamweight (56 kg) clash follows where 2-2 home star Diao Jianhao will face Sergio Alfredo Chirino Sánchez.
Jianhao is undefeated at home this season, while Sánchez narrowly lost to Russia’s Vladimir Nikitin two weeks ago.
1-2 Chinese Middleweight (75 kg) Zhou Di is a tough and durable boxer, and he competes against Mexico’s Misael Uriel Rodríguez Oliva in what should be a very ferocious fight.
The night ends at Heavyweight (91 kg) and China’s Li Mingtao will make his first appearance in ten weeks when he fights the undefeated 2-0 Julio Cesar Castillo Torres who defeated 2013 AIBA World Championships silver medalist Evgeny Tishchenko a fortnight ago.
Untouchable Astana Arlans Kazakhstan beat Puerto Rico Hurricanes 4-1
Astana Arlans Kazakhstan earned their 12th consecutive win in Season V of the World Series of Boxing (WSB) after defeating Puerto Rico Hurricanes 4-1 in San Juan.
Kazakhstan began the evening with a 1-0 advantage after Puerto Rican Welterweight (69 kg) Nicklaus Flaz could not compete, which resulted in a walkover verdict awarded to AIBA World Champion Daniyar Yeleussinov.
The Hurricanes roared back at Flyweight (52 kg) however when Jeyvier Cintrón Ocasio earned his fifth win of the season, and moved up to second in the rankings after defeating Olzhas Sattibayev.
With just one more match of the group stages to come, the Puerto Rican will be delighted with the unanimous points victory although he only won by a single point on all three scorecards.
Two Flyweight quotas available for Rio 2016 so Cintrón Ocasio knows that if he wins his last bout he will almost certainly reach his second Olympic Games
Jose Rosario’s chances of qualifying for Rio 2016 ended when the Lightweight (60 kg) lost his undefeated record after being beaten by Zakir Safiullin.
This was Safiullin’s first success of the season in four attempts, and the Kazakh star secured the victory on all three scorecards.
Croatia’s Hrvoje Sep then moved up to second in the Light heavyweight (81 kg) rankings with a dominant win over 0-5 Joseph Laboy.
Puerto Rico Hurricanes vs Astan Arlans Kazakhstan
Sep now has six wins in Season V all by the way of points, and after Cuba’s Julio César la Cruz surprisingly lost on Friday night, the Astana Arlans representative is now in the Olympic qualification places heading into the last match of the Regular Season.
Filip Hrgovic, a Croatian and Astana Arlans teammate of Sep also improved his Rio 2016 chances in the last match of the evening as he stopped Jose Gabriel Medina in round two of their bout.
The TKO moves Hrgovic back to the top of the Super heavyweight (91+ kg) rankings which is vital as there is only one Olympic quota available for the weight class through this competition.
Following Joseph Joyce’s defeat on Thursday night, Hrgovic’s main rival is now Cuba’s Lenier Eunice Pero, but victory in Italy in a fortnight will assure the Croatian of a place in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Astana Arlans Kazakhstan visit Argentina Condors next week, while Puerto Rico Hurricanes host Azerbaijan Baku Fires.
Albert Selimov qualifies for Rio 2016 as Azerbaijan Baku Fires beat USA Knockouts
World Series of Boxing (WSB) Season IV runners up Azerbaijan Baku Fires continued their impressive form in the fifth instalment of the competition as they whitewashed USA Knockouts 5-0 in Guba.
This was Azerbaijan’s fourth successive home victory, while the American Franchise have now lost five of their last six WSB matches.
Only four fights were held on the night as American Super heavyweight (91+ kg) Cam F. Awesome did not compete, which resulted in a walkover victory for Haji Murtuzaliyev.
The biggest success story of the evening was Azerbaijan’s Albert Selimov, who has qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games through WSB.
A 2007 AIBA World Champion, the number one ranked Lightweight (60 kg) now has a chance to add Olympic glory to an already glistening career after he defeated USA’s Carlos Balderas.
Selimov outworked the American youngster who impressed despite losing on points.
The fight was stopped at the end of the fourth round due to a head injury suffered by Balderas.
Now 6-0 in Season V, Selimov is three points ahead of second ranked Cuban Lazaro Alvarez and crucially ten points ahead of third placed Russian Adlan Abdurashidov.
This unassailable points lead means that the Azeri fighter has reached Rio with one match of the Regular Season to go.
Week 11 Weigh In USA Knockouts
USA’s Brent Venegas III saw his Olympic hopes falter after losing by split decision to Flyweight (52 kg) Murad Rabadanov in the first bout of the evening.
Rabadanov edged the narrow bout 49-46 and 48-47 on two scorecards, while the American youngster was awarded a 48-47 score according to the third judge.
Fourth ranked Azeri Welterweight (69 kg) Parviz Baghirov then enjoyed a comfortable victory over American Brian Ceballo to seal the overall win for Azerbaijan.
The 5-0 scoreline was assured in the last bout at Light heavyweight (81 kg) when 3-2 home star Soltan Migitinov widely outpointed Steve Nelson.
Azerbaijan Baku Fires visit Puerto Rico Hurricanes next week, while USA Knockouts travel to Rafako Hussars Poland.
Italia Thunder continue home dominance with victory over Rafako Hussars Poland
An excellent performance in Andria saw Italia Thunder defeat Rafako Hussars Poland 4-1 in the World Series of Boxing (WSB).
This was an important result for the Italian Franchise heading into the last two matches of the Regular Season as they aim to reach the knockout stages of Season V.
In addition to team success for the Italians, their Light heavyweight (81 kg) Valentino Manfredonia made a giant step towards qualifying for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games through WSB, as he defeated Poland’s 1-3 Mateusz Jerzy Tryc on points.
Manfredonia is 6-0 this season, and now leads the Light heavyweight rankings outright after his main rival Julio Cesar La Cruz lost on Friday night.
It was a routine victory for the Italian who dropped just one round on a single scorecard, and he will head into his last Regular Season match in two weeks time full of confidence.
WSB Week 11 Match Rafako Hussars Poland vs Azerbaijan Baku Fires 28:03:2015
Although Ireland’s Steven Donnelly won his fifth match of the campaign for his Polish team against Italy’s Dario Morello, the third ranked Welterweight (69 kg) is likely to miss out on reaching Rio 2016 via this competition.
After the top two ranked Welterweights Radzhab Butaev and Mohammed Rabii both won earlier on in week 12, Donnelly’s split decision victory left him six points behind with just one match to go.
Donnelly was awarded the fight 48-47 on two scorecards, while Morello was given the same score by the third judge.
The night began with a victory for the Thunder at Flyweight (52 kg) when India’s Gaurav Bidhuri won every round against Poland’s Grzegorz Kozlowski.
Italian Lightweight (60 kg) Fabio Introvaia then edged a split decision over Poland’s Mateusz Polski in a tight contest.
Introvaia controlled the first three rounds of the fight, but Polski rallied in the latter stages leading to one judge awarding him the victory by a single point.
Both of the remaining judges preferred the work of the Italian by scores of 49-46 and 48-47.
The 4-1 win for Italy was confirmed at Super heavyweight (91+ kg) when reigning Italian Champion Alessio Spahiu outpointed Roger Hryniuk.
Italia Thunder travel to Caciques Venezuela next week, while Rafako Hussars Poland host USA Knockouts.
Can USA Knockouts return to form away to Azerbaijan Baku Fires?
World Series of Boxing (WSB) Season IV runners-up Azerbaijan Baku Fires host USA Knockouts in a key Group B clash.
The Azeri team have won their last three home fixtures in the competition, while the out of form USA Knockouts have lost four of their last five matches.
As well as team glory, there are also huge ramifications for the individual boxers competing who have hopes of qualifying for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games through WSB.
Guba Olympic Complex, Guba is the venue for this Group B clash, where on Saturday 11th April fans across the world can watch the action free, live and on demand from 19:00 (GMT +5) at AIBABoxingTV.com.
America’s 3-2 Brent Venegas III is ranked third at Flyweight (52 kg) two points behind second placed Jeyvier Cintrón Ocasio who also competes this weekend.
Venegas III is level on points with two other boxers in the Flyweight standings so he will want to win convincingly against Murad Rabadanov to keep his Olympic chances alive and move away from the chasing pack.
The American has won all three of his home matches this season, but has lost his two away fixtures.
WSB veteran Albert Selimov is one of the most successful boxers in the history of the competition, and the Azeri athlete leads the Lightweight (60 kg) rankings with just two matches to go for the weight class.
5-0 this season with all of his victories coming by unanimous decision, Selimov is three points ahead of nearest rival Lazaro Alvarez, and could qualify for Rio 2016 this weekend if other results go his way.
Azerbaijan Baku Fires vs USA Knockouts
He faces a tough opponent in Guba when 3-0 Carlos Balderas takes to the ring in opposition.
This will be the first away match of the campaign for the American who is undefeated at home.
Fourth ranked Azeri Welterweight (69 kg) Parviz Baghirov lost to Kazakhstan’s Kanagat Maralov two weeks ago which all but ended his Olympic chances through WSB, and this week he fights sixth ranked American Brian Ceballo who has lost three of his last four matches.
A Light heavyweight (81 kg) tussle follows between seventh ranked 2-2 home star Soltan Migitinov and USA’s Steve Nelson.
Both Haji Murtuzaliyev and Cam F. Awesome lost a fortnight ago via TKO, so their Super heavyweight (91+ kg) shootout to close the evening could be an explosive affair.
Who will take flight when Argentina Condors face Caciques Venezuela?
A South American derby is one of the highlights in week 12 of the World Series of Boxing (WSB) as Argentina Condors host Caciques Venezuela.
Argentina won their first match of the season at home two weeks ago, while Venezuela are on a two match winning streak.
Ciudad De San Luis, San Luis is the venue for this Group B clash, where on Saturday 11th April fans across the world can watch the action free, live and on demand from 23:00 (GMT -3) at AIBABoxingTV.com.
The action begins at Flyweight (52 kg) where 1-3 Condor Cristian Alan Choque Chambi meets Venezuela’s Eduard Johan Bermúdez Salas who defeated USA’s Brent Venegas III two weeks ago.
Argentina’s Brian Ivan Nunez won his first match of the season in his last bout after four previously unsuccessful attempts, and the Lightweight (60 kg) will look to make it two in a row against Caciques debutant Luis Cabrera.
Gabriel Maestre Perez won a bronze medal for Venezuela at the 2013 AIBA World Championships, and has excelled in WSB this season.
Ranked number five in a competitive Welterweight (69 kg) division, the South American star is unlikely to qualify for Rio 2016 through WSB, but will want to move up the rankings after he faces Argentina’s 2-2 Alberto Ignacio Palmetta.
Palmetta won his opening two matches of Season V, but has lost his subsequent bouts which makes this Welterweight contest tough to call.
3-1 Venezuelan Light heavyweight (81 kg) Albert Ramon Ramirez Duran is fifth in the rankings, with his lone loss coming to WSB legend Hrvoje Sep via split decision.
This week he meets 0-1 Argentine Josue Oliva who has also lost to Sep this season.
The night ends at Super heavyweight (91+ kg) where home favourite Carlos Pedro Blanche battles Edgar Ramon Munoz Mata who stopped Cam F. Awesome two weeks ago.
Which undefeated record will go when Puerto Rico Hurricanes host Astana Arlans Kazakhstan?
Puerto Rico Hurricanes host Astana Arlans Kazakhstan in week 12 of the World series of Boxing (WSB) and the North American Franchise have won all five of their home matches this season.
Astana Arlans Kazakhstan have also been in superb form over the course of Season V, and have yet to lose a single fixture in the Regular Season.
One of the teams will lose their undefeated record, while for the individual boxers in action this is the penultimate match of the group stages for their weight classes which will also signify the cut-off for Rio 2016 Olympic Games qualification through WSB.
Coliseíto Pedrín Zorrilla, San Juan is the venue for this Group B clash, where on Saturday 11th April fans across the world can watch the action free, live and on demand from 19:00 (GMT -4) at AIBABoxingTV.com.
Flyweight (52 kg) Jeyvier Cintrón Ocasio was one of the youngest competitors in the London 2012 Olympic Games, and the 4-1 fighter is on the verge of reaching his second Olympics.
With two matches to go for the Flyweights, the Hurricane is second in the rankings, six points behind Cuba’s Yosbany Veitia, but crucially two points ahead of the next three boxers in the standings.
This week the home star meets Kazakhstan’s sixth ranked Olzhas Sattibayev who would go above Cintrón Ocasio in the rankings if he defeats his opponent in San Juan.
Both boxers have been in excellent form this season, which makes this bout a highly intriguing and important one.
Fifth ranked Lightweight (60 kg) Jose Rosario is 4-0 in his debut WSB campaign, and the Puerto Rican star has won his last three matches by split decision.
The Hurricane is five points behind second ranked Cuban Lazaro Alvarez which means he will need to achieve a significant victory against 0-3 Zakir Safiullin to keep a glimmer of hope alive.
A Welterweight (69 kg) contest follows between 1-4 Nicklaus Flaz who has lost his last three matches, and current AIBA World Champion Daniyar Yeleussinov.
Croatia’s Hrvoje Sep is a tremendous member of the Astana Arlans Kazakhstan team, and sits third in the Light heavyweight (81 kg) rankings after winning all five of his matches this season.
Each of Sep’s matches have gone the distance, which is why he is two points behind the joint-top ranked Valentino Manfredonia and Julio César la Cruz.
Two Light heavyweight quotas for Rio are available, so Sep will be eager to claim the maximum points against 0-4 Joseph Laboy which will put pressure on his decorated rivals.
After the second ranked Super heavyweight (91+ kg) Joseph Joyce lost in London on Thursday night, top placed Croatian Filip Hrgovic now has his Olympic destiny in his own hands.
5-0 this season with four successive stoppages, the Astana Arlans Kazakhstan representative could go five points clear of Joyce with one match to play if he stops debutant Jose Gabriel Medina.
Italia Thunder seek third consecutive 5-0 home win against Rafako Hussars Poland
Levit vs Jakubowski (Astana Arlans Kazakhstan vs Raffako Hussars Poland
Italia Thunder welcome Rafako Hussars Poland to Andria in week 12 of the World Series of Boxing (WSB).
The Italian team have won their last two home matches 5-0, while Poland narrowly lost to Azerbaijan Baku Fires last week.
PalaSport Andria, Andria is the venue for this Group B clash, where on Saturday 11th April fans across the world can watch the action free, live and on demand from 21:00 (GMT +2) at AIBABoxingTV.com.
Amidst the competitive nature of both teams, 5-0 Italian Valentino Manfredonia is on a personal quest to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games through WSB, and the joint-top ranked Light heavyweight (81 kg) has his penultimate match of the Regular Season against Poland’s 1-3 Mateusz Jerzy Tryc.
Manfredonia has been one of the best boxers of Season V, and the Italian is level on 25 points with Cuba’s two-time AIBA World Champion Julio Cesar La Cruz in the Light heavyweight standings.
Both fighters are just two points ahead of Croatia’s Hrvoje Sep who also competes this weekend, so Manfredonia will hope for a second successive stoppage win against his Polish opponent to keep his Olympic destiny in his own hands.
Another boxer with Rio 2016 aspirations is Ireland’s Steven Donnelly who is currently third in the Welterweight (69 kg) rankings.
The Rafako Hussars Poland team member is 4-1 across this campaign, and is five points behind the second ranked Mohammed Rabii.
Such a points discrepancy means that Donnelly will need to stop Italy’s 0-1 Dario Morello to maintain his Olympic hopes.
The action in Andria begins at Flyweight (52 kg) where India’s 1-2 Gaurav Bidhuri meets Poland’s 0-1 Grzegorz Kozlowski, and is followed up by a Lightweight (60 kg) bout between Fabio Introvaia and Poland’s Mateusz Polski who replaces the injured Dawid Michelus.
A Super heavyweight (91+ kg) match closes proceedings where reigning Italian Champion Alessio Spahiu makes his first appearance of the season against 0-2 Roger Hryniuk.
An excellent away performance in London resulted in the second win of the week for Russian Boxing Team as they defeated British Lionhearts in an entertaining World Series of Boxing (WSB) battle.
A respectful and immaculately dressed Black Tie crowd enjoyed the action despite the loss of the home team.
Although the overall 4-1 score made the evening look one sided, many of the bouts were close and the British Franchise can be proud of their spirited performance.
Perhaps the most disappointed man on the night was the number two ranked Super heavyweight (91+ kg) Joseph Joyce, who lost his first match of the season against Maxim Babanin by split decision.
The 5-1 Lionheart Joyce was looking for a sixth straight win to potentially topple the number one ranked Filip Hrgovic, but his ambitions to qualify for Rio 2016 through WSB may be over following this defeat.
This was the penultimate match of the Regular Season for Joyce whose Olympic destiny is now completely out of his hands.
Babanin impressed from the beginning, and won 49:46 and 48:47 according to two judges, while the third scored the contest 48:47 in Joyce’s favour.
Joseph Joyce vs Maxim Babanin (British Lionhearts vs Russian Boxing Team)
Russia’s Radzhab Butaev tops the Welterweight (69 kg) rankings, and all but confirmed his Olympic place after beating 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medalist Scott Fitzgerald.
Although Butaev won the contest and took his Season V record to 6-0 in the process, Fitzgerald was tenacious and talented throughout the contest and was awarded the fight 48:47 according to one judge.
Butaev’s class was evident however, and the remaining two judges scored the bout in his favour.
The Russian is now ten points ahead of third ranked Steven Donnelly, which leaves the Irishman needing two big wins to have any chance of catching Butaev.
Britain’s lone win of the night occurred in the first bout at Flyweight (52 kg) when José Kelvin de la Nieve Linares triumphed over Russia’s 3-1 Vasiliy Vetkin on points.
Lightweight (60 kg) Adlan Abdurashidov then dominated Lionheart Oualid Belaoura en route to a convincing points win.
A fourth triumph for Russian Boxing Team was secured at Light heavyweight (81 kg) as 4-0 Pavel Silyagin edged a close contest against Joshua Buatsi.
British Lionhearts host Cuba Domadores next week, while Russian Boxing Team visit Ukraine Otamans.
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