Patriot Boxing Team welcomes three-time WSB champions Astana Arlans Kazakhstan…

Patriot Boxing Team welcomes three-time WSB champions Astana Arlans Kazakhstan in St Petersburg on Week 6

The historical city of St Petersburg will welcome week 6 action on Sunday, when hosts the Patriot Boxing Team take on the Astana Arlans for the second time this season. The last time both teams met, the Kazakhs walked away with a 5-0 win in Kokshetau City and the Russians will be looking to make amends in St Petersburg. The hosts’ confidence is high after their 4-1 win over the Indian Tigers in week 5, but the Kazakh team will not be going down without a fight as this matchup will be crucial in deciding who will take the lead in the Asia group.

World Series of Boxing (WSB) is a unique team boxing competition and one of the most exciting sports leagues in the world. Beginning in February 2018, Season VIII sees 12 teams compete in three regional groups; America, Europe and Asia, with home and away matches, consisting of five bouts each, between the group rivals.

The top two teams from each group and the two strongest third-placed teams will qualify for the play-offs, which assume the format of four Quarter-Finals, two Semi-Finals and the grand Final.

The world’s premier boxing series is a hard-fought competition of unparalleled intensity, speed and power, where boxers compete across five rounds, scored using the 10 Points Must system.

Season VIII is set to build on the enormous success of Season VII, and features the stars of the 2017 AIBA World Championships and Rio 2016 Olympic Games. WSB boxers accounted for 23 Olympic medals at the Games, including 6 golds, adding an extra dimension of excitement and competition for both the fans and the boxers.

Astana Arlans Kazakhstan VS Cuba Domadores: Weigh-in Completed For WSB Season VII Final

Twenty of the best boxers in the world gathered on Friday morning in Astana for the WSB Season VII Weigh-In, with the Astana Arlans Kazakhstan and Cuba Domadores teams both going for a historic third title on Saturday afternoon. The intensity was palpable and the mind-games began early as the Kazakh and Cuban athletes faced-off ahead of what is likely to be one of the greatest matches in WSB history. At the subsequent Press Conference, AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu introduced this year’s Grand Final, joined by key figures from the worlds of Kazakhstan and Cuban boxing and sport.

Astana Arlans Kazakhstan VS Cuba Domadores WSB Season VII Final

“Every year since its inception, we have seen this unique team competition evolve and grow, developing into one of the most eagerly anticipated and exciting events in the boxing calendar. The addition of the team dynamic to what has always been one of the world’s great individual sports has captured the imagination of spectators and franchises alike, its popularity underlining our belief that it is innovations like the WSB that will keep entertaining the fans and breaking new audiences and markets around the world. Good luck to both these teams going for a historic third title,” said AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu.

Astana Arlans Kazakhstan And Cuba Domadores with AIBA President Ching-Kuo Wu,

London is the place to be as British Lionhearts take on Astana Arlans Kazakhstan in WSB Semi-Final

The WSB Season VI Semi-Final between British Lionhearts and Astana Arlans Kazakhstan gets underway on Thursday evening in East London’s York Hall, with both teams eager to gain a crucial first-leg advantage in their quest to join Cuba Domadores in this year’s final. The light flyweight, bantamweight, light welterweight, middleweight and heavyweight boxers will be in action first, feauring two of their top Lionhearts’ Galal Yafai and Pat McCormack who will be crucial to the home side if they are to successfully overcome the defending champions.

Key Bout One: Galal Yafai GBR vs. Yerzhan Zhomart KAZ (49kg)

British Lionhearts’ Galal Yafai, brother of undefeated pro boxer Khalid Yafai came through the ranks to make a spectacular WSB debut in the team’s win against the Mexico Guerreros, beating their top light flyweight and double Panamerican Champion Joselito Velasquez.

Astana Arlans’ Yerzhan Zhomart has won a number of big tournaments including the historical Strandja Memorial Tournament most recently in February. Zhomart’s first WSB appearance was his victory over Venezuela Caciques’ Angelino Cordova last month, and while Yafai holds a 10cm height advantage, Zhomart’s speed and agility will make him a tough target to reach.

London is the place to be as British Lionhearts take on Astana Arlans Kazakhstan in WSB Semi-Final

Key Bout Two: Pat McCormack GBR vs. Samat Bashenov KAZ (64kg)

British Lionhearts’ Pat McCormack made his WSB debut with an outstanding win over USA Knockouts’ young Gary Russell in Miami, but an even bigger challenge awaited in the form of Mexico Guerreros’ Olympic qualified boxer Raul Curiel. Infront of his home crowd. McCormack delivered a stirring performance that earned him recognition, and now the former Junior World Champion will be looking to prove himself against the experienced Arlans veteran Samat Bashenov.

As the Arlans’ team captain Bashenov has already won two WSB team titles together with the Arlans his experience could be the deciding factor to the Kazakh side as they make the long journey to London. Bashenov managed to beat the strong Venezuelan Luis Arcon in the Quarter Final and it remains to be seen if this win can propel him to a similar dominating performance against the hungry Lionheart McCormack.

Flawless Cuba Domadores power into WSB Season VI Final with 10-0 win over Uzbek Tigers

The Cuba Domadores booked their place in WSB Season VI Finals in emphatic fashion on Friday night, repeating their superb first-leg whitewash of Uzbek Tigers to take the match 10-0. The Cuban side were once again in unstoppable form, punishing the slightest mistake from their opponents and showing just why they will be many people’s favourites for this year’s title, whether they face British Lionhearts or Astana Arlans Kazakhstan.

The Domadores’ top flyweight Yosbany Veitia continued his excellent record in the competition with an opening win against Abrorjon Kodirov, deputising for Shakhobiddin Zoirov. Veitia quickly found his rhythm, and despite Kodirov’s best efforts to find a way into the bout, the 24 year-old Cuban had an inspired fourth round and his victory sealed the two-leg tie for the hosts.

With their place in the final already secure, the first of Cuba’s three-time AIBA World Champions Lazaro Alvarez then continued the relentless onslaught against Uzbekistan’s Elnur Abduraimov. With the first two rounds going to Alvarez, Abduraimov rallied in the third with some strong right jabs but began to tire by the fifth, the Cuban’s speed ultimately proving too much to contend with.

London 2012 Olympic Welterweight Champion Roniel Iglesias was back to his very best against Strandja Memorial Tournament winner Makhmud Gaipov, dominating a one-sided affair to take a unanimous points win and show why he will be a favourite to retain his Olympic title this summer. Cuban team captain and triple AIBA World Heavyweight Champion Julio Cesar La Cruz was in no mood to sully his incredible WSB record either, patiently waiting for openings in Shukhrat Abdullaev’s defences. The Uzbek star battled hard to stay in the contest, but the fleet-footed La Cruz danced his way out of trouble time and time again to secure another comfortable win.

Flawless Cuba Domadores power into Season VI Final with inspired 10-0 win over Uzbek Tigers

That left super heavyweight Leinier Pero to complete the whitewash with a thrilling victory over Mirzohidjon Abdullaev that got the crowd to their feet. The Uzbek adopted some typically Cuban footwork to steer himself out of trouble early on as Pero seized the initiative, but despite a rousing last round he couldn’t match the Cuban’s scoring and the hosts romped through to a 10-0 win, notching up their ninth 5-0 score of the season and throwing down the gauntlet to their next opponents.

Defending Champions Astana Arlans Kazakhstan Book Semi-Final Spot With 9-1 Win Over Venezuela Caciques

Two-time WSB Champions Astana Arlans Kazakhstan completed their Quarter-Final task in style against the Venezuela Caciques on Saturday night, taking the second leg 5-0 to secure a resounding 9-1 win and set up a huge Semi-Final match against the British Lionhearts.

With Olzhas Sattibayev being saved for the later stages, the home side called upon flyweight Azamat Issakulov to take on current American Confederation Champion Yoel Finol, and a spectacular bout unfurled between the two once the young Venezuelan found his range in the second round. With neither boxer ceding the centre of the ring, Finol tried to switch tactics to unlock the Kazakh, but Issakulov stood firm and the win left the Arlans within one point of the semis.

It was the veteran boxer Zakir Safiullin who then put the result beyond any doubt, controlling his lightweight encounter with the Caciques’ Luis Cabrera thanks to some swift counter-attacks and an effortless style, before debutant Bekzod Khalmetov put in a superb, battling performance to overcome top Venezuelan Gabriel Maestre to the delight of the home crowd.

Arman Rysbek’s first gold at the Kazakh National Championships thrust him into the spotlight back in 2011, and his value to the Arlans squad at light heavyweight was underlined with a unanimous points win over Nalek Korbaj, thanks in part to some big-scoring punches in a pivotal third round that left Korbaj’s brave efforts at a comeback a case of too little, too late.

The Quarter-Final was wrapped up in fitting style by Astana Arlans’ Kamshybek Kunkabayev, who was called upon at super heavyweight against Caciques’ Edgar Ramon Munoz. After a cagey first round largely spent sizing eachother up, Kunkabayev showed his remarkable power with a huge blow to floor his opponent and leave the referee with little option but to stop the bout midway through the second. The Arlans will now face a resurgent British Lionhearts for a place in the Season VI final and a shot at a third WSB championship title.

Astana Arlans Kazakhstan Secure Their Play-Offs Place With A 5-0 Perfect Win Against Puerto Rico Hurricanes

Even with some new faces, the Astana Arlans Kazakhstan delivered a perfect performance against Puerto Rico Hurricanes in Petropavlovsk where the host franchise defeated the Central Americans with an impressive 5-0 win.

The titleholder franchise now has 12 points in Group D and secures its guaranteed place in play-offs behind the newcomer and leader of the Group, the Uzbek Tigers.

Astana Arlans Kazakhstan’s experienced Mardan Berikbayev was matched against a Puerto Rican hopeful, 19-year-old John Ortiz who won the Juan Venegas Tournament last December. The 25-year-old Kazakh boxer operated with quick jabs in the first round and dominated throughout. After his brilliant Season IV and V appearances, Berikbayev has proved that Kazakhstan possesses talented boxers in this light flyweight category.

After Berikbayev’s great opening triumph, Astana Arlans’s bantamweight Nursultan Kochshegulov tried to control his bout over Puerto Rico Hurricanes’ 19-year-old Edgardo Rolon who thrown long distance punches and won surprisingly the 1st round. But Kochshegulov raised his level in the second round and maintained the pressure before the Puerto Rican youngster found his range back in the fourth. Kochshegulov reduced the distance and took the final advantage as his hand was victoriously raised infront of his home crowd giving the hosts a commanding 2-0 lead.

John Ortiz (Puerto Rico Hurricanes) and Mardan Berikbayev (Astana Arlans Kazakhstan)

The host heavyweight Yerkin Mukhametzhan was too experienced and claimed his second WSB Season VI bouts against Puerto Rico Hurricanes’ Ivan Rosado by KO after only 74 seconds.

At 3-0 up, Kazakhstan’s new teenage talent Abilkhan Amankul made his WSB debut this afternoon in Petropavlovsk against Puerto Rico Hurricanes’ Raul Sanchez who participated in the AIBA American Olympic Qualification event last week in Buenos-Aires. The Astana Arlans southpaw, powered through the second round to take the lead and earn the judges’ decision and give an unassailable 4-0 lead.

Astana Arlans Kazakhstan’s team captain and two-time WSB Champion Samat Bashenov added another victory to the remarkable evening as the injured Puerto Rico Hurricanes’ Jean Carlos Rivera could not compete thus the home franchise inflicted a 5-0 whitewash on the Puerto Rico team.