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.

Uzbek Tigers Hold Their Nerve To Earn Superb 6-4 Win Against Russian Boxing Team To Reach WSB Semi-Finals

The Uzbek Tigers were once again able to show their burgeoning WSB prowess on Saturday night as the new franchise repeated their impressive Quarter-Final first-leg performance in Russia with another 3-2 away win to take their place in the Semi-Finals. The 6-4 aggregate result sets up what could be the match of the season so far against a Cuba Domadores side that booked its place in the next round with a convincing win over Mexico Guerreros in Havana.

Saturday’s opening bout assumed huge importance with both sides looking to establish some precious momentum, and the responsabilitiy for the hosts fell to flyweight Viacheslav Tashkarakov, in for Karen Arutunian, against the Uzbek’s in-form AIBA Asia and Oceania Olympic Qualification Event winner Shakhobiddin Zoirov. The Tigers’ gifted 22-year-old boxed freely for a man making his WSB debut, using his greater speed to launch waves of counter-attacks that saw Zoirov win all five rounds against the Russian veteran and set the visitors on their way.

Two more debutants contested a short-lived lightweight bout as Uzbek Tigers’ Elnur Abduraimov dashed Dzhamal Badrutdinov’s hopes with a well-timed left at the end of the opening round from which he was unable to recover, the referee halting the match and putting the Tigers within touching distance of the semis.

Russian Boxing Team’s emerging welterweight star Albert Karibian was able to bring the hosts back into the tie as he edged a thrilling encounter against the highly respected Shakhram Giyasov. The powerful Uzbek made life uncomfortable for Karibian with some powerful right jabs in the first round, but the Russian remained on top to narrowly finish on the right side of the judges’ decision to make it 5-3 to the visitors on aggregate.

Uzbek Tigers Hold Their Nerve To Earn Superb 6-4 Win Against Russian Boxing Team To Reach WSB Semi-Finals

Russia’s Imam Khataev began his crucial light heavyweight class bout against Shukhrat Abdullayev with intent, only to see the Uzbek force his way back into contention at the half-way stage. Khataev caught his opponent in the third and, despite tiring badly, gave his side the chance of a memorable comeback as he closed the gap to just a point with one bout to go.

As the home crowd rose to the occasion, experienced Uzbek Mirzohidjon Abdullaev stepped up to quash any dreams of their team forcing a dramatic box-off with a comprehensive display against Andrey Afonin. Abdullaev reduced the fighting distance successfully in the opening minutes to take a lead that he refused to let slip, controlling the bout with timely jabs and taking a unanimous decision that saw the Uzbek Tigers safel through to a Semi-Final showdown against the mighty Cuba Domadores in their first-ever WSB campaign.

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.

WSB Season VI : Six From Six For The All-Conquering Russian Boxing Team

Six from six for the all-conquering Russian Boxing Team as they beat Argentina Condors 5-0 in the final Group A match

Top of the table, unbeaten and with 24 wins out of 30 regular Season VI bouts, the Russian Boxing Team is the WSB franchise to fear as the competition prepares for its knockout stages. Just a day after beating Venezuela Caciques 4-1, the host franchise returned to the Academy Boxing Gym in Moscow and defeated Argentina Condors 5-0.

Famed for the scarcely credible power of his right hooks, Russian flyweight Bator Sagaluev was a heavy favourite in the first contest of the night against teenage WSB debutant, Nicolas Alfonso. The Baku 2015 European Games gold medallist proved the pundits right, as he cruised to a comfortable win against the Argentinean.

Fellow Baku 2015 European Games champion, Bakhtovar Nazirov took over in the bantamweight category. Argentina Condors’ unheralded Piero Carloni did momentarily surprise Nazirov with some strong body shots in the first round, but having gathered himself, the 21-year-old Russian went on the attack in round two and won by TKO in round three.

It was a far closer affair in the light welterweight class. Home boxer Avak Uzlian was, in the end, thankful for the three round lead he built at the start of the contest, as Argentina Condors’ Ronan Nahuel Sanchez came storming back to claim both the fourth and fifth rounds.

Sanchez’s compatriot Christian Zarate endured a frustrating time in his middleweight clash with former EUBC European Confederation Champion, Maxim Koptyakov. The experienced Zarate was never able to get inside the Russian’s defence and lost all five rounds 10:9.

The difference in class was pronounced in the closing contest, as 1.95m tall Sergey Kalchugin, who has fought internationally for 10 years, dominated his inexperienced Argentina Condors opponent, Dario Alcapan.

Argentina Condors finish bottom of Group C, despite winning two of their six matches, while the Russian Boxing Team advances to face Uzbek Tigers in the quarter-finals, a mouth-watering clash.

Group A winners Cuba Domadores dismantle Ukraine Otamans 5-0…

Group A winners Cuba Domadores dismantle Ukraine Otamans 5-0 before their last regular season match against China Dragons in Havana

A vibrant, fired-up Cuba Domadores, oozing class in front of their home crowd, whitewashed Ukraine Otamans 5-0 in their Group A clash on Thursday evening.

Boasting one London 2012 Olympic champion and two Doha 2015 AIBA World Boxing champions in their five-man line-up, the Cubans dismantled their opponents, claiming ample revenge for their surprise 3-2 away defeat to Ukraine Otamans earlier in WSB’s Season VI.

The delighted Havana crowd first witnessed light flyweight Joahnys Argilagos demonstrate his precocious talent against Ukraine Otamans’ national champion Denys Kozaruk. The 19-year-old Cuban, who has already won six of his nine WSB bouts, was on the front foot from the off and despite a second round comeback from the Ukrainian, Argilagos was a comfortable winner.

Teammate and 2012 Olympic bantamweight gold medallist Robeisy Ramirez put in a stellar second and third round to defeat WSB debutant Ivan Soloviov by TKO. The Ukraine Otamans fighter had initially surprised his exalted opponent as he went on the attack from the start but ultimately, Ramirez’s class told.

The high quality performances continued to flow from the home team with 2015 AIBA World Boxing Championships light welterweight silver medallist Yasniel Toledo dazzling the crowd and his opponent with his mesmerising footwork and technically sound counter attacks. Lopez won easily all five rounds.

With the match and a WSB Season VI playoff place secure, it was left to 2015 AIBA World middleweight champion Arlen Lopez to put on a show in his clash with Ukraine Otamans’ Taras Holovashchenko. A succession of rapid combinations proved too much for Holovashchenko who lost by TKO in the final round.

A final dash of glamour was provided by Erislandy Savon, nephew of one of the sport’s true greats who was ringside, the three-time Olympic champion Felix Savon. The 25-year-old breezed through his bout with Dmytro Lisovyi winning all five rounds.

The Ukraine Otamans remain in second place in Group A and face a crucial contest with Turkiye Conquerors in Istanbul on Saturday afternoon. A win will be enough to see them claim the second playoff place.

Season IV champions Cuba Domadores fight again on Friday night in Havana, with their thoughts already turned towards a third successive playoffs.

The USA Knockouts Gearing Up For A Crucial Win As They Chase A Playoff Place In Miami Against The Morocco Atlas Lions

In search of a playoff place in Group B, the USA Knockouts have named a strong team, including Toronto 2015 Pan American Games gold medallist Antonio Vargas and 19-year-old lightweight sensation Carlos Balderas, for their match versus the Morocco Atlas Lions in Miami on Friday.

Vargas leads the home hopes in the Miccosukee Sports & Entertainment Dome taking on Achraf Kharroubi in a fascinating opening flyweight bout. While the Moroccan has already secured his spot for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the 19-year-old Vargas surprised many by failing to claim a qualification spot at the AIBA American Olympic Qualification Event in Buenos Aires in March.

There is no such worry for compatriot Carlos Balderas who sealed his 2016 place after winning four successive WSB fights in Season V. He takes on Morocco Atlas Lions’ Hamza Rabii, the younger brother of the AIBA World Champion Mohammed Rabii, in the lightweight division.

Victorious at the US National Olympic Trials, welterweight Paul Kroll will be keen to make up for his previous WSB performance, a disappointing home loss to Mexico Guerreros’ Francisco Armenta. The 20 year old will have his work cut out as he faces Morocco’s defending AIBA World Champion Mohammed Rabii, who went through Season V undefeated.

Fellow US National Olympic Trials winner Jonathan Esquivel will pit his skills against Hassan Saada in the light heavyweight bout. The US fighter enjoyed a winning WSB debut in Week 4, defeating Mexico Guerreros’ experienced Rogelio Romero.

Marlo Moore, the fourth US National Olympic Trials winner on the USA Knockouts team, takes on Ahmed Bourous in the super heavyweight class.

Just two points ahead of the Morocco Atlas Lions in Group C, it could be a nervy evening for the USA Knockouts and their fervent home supporters.

The Russian Boxing Team aim for a clean sweep against Group C rivals Venezuela Caciques in Moscow

The undefeated Russian Boxing Team will be looking to do the double over Venezuela Caciques on Friday evening and make it five wins from five in Season VI. The two highest ranked teams in Group C face each other in the Druzhba Sport Palace in Moscow.

The home team won’t have it all their way against the Venezuela Caciques, who trail them by just a point at the top of the table. Venezuela’s highly talented South American Youth Championship winner Franklin Jose Gonzalez takes on fellow flyweight Ovik Ogannisian in the first fight of the night. While Gonzalez won his opening Season VI fight with an impressive victory over Rafako Hussars Poland’s experienced WSB boxer Hamza Touba, Ogannisian lost his one and only encounter this season.

In the lightweight division Adlan Abdurashidov provided one of the stories of Season V, with a string of world-class performances securing qualification for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The 25-year-old Russian takes on Christian Palacio, who recorded an impressive victory on his WSB debut in Week 7, defeating the explosive Pole Mateusz Polski.

Two-time Season VI winner and Russian welterweight National Championship bronze medallist Albert Karibian will be favoured to make it a hatrick as he takes on Venezuela Caciques’ Victor Pinango. The 31 year old replaced WSB Boxer of Week 7 Balazs Bacskai in the Venezuela Caciques squad.

Top-ranked Russian light heavyweight Pavel Silyagin might be missing from Week 11, but compatriot Gamzat Gazaliev will still start as favourite in his bout versus Nalek Korbaj.

Silver medal winner in the famous Chemistry Cup, held in Germany last month, Andrey Afonin rounds off the action in his home country. The Russian faces Henrique Dos Santos Nascimento in the super heavyweight clash. The 1.93m Brazilian, who fights for Venezuela Caciques, was a thrilling winner in his debut WSB fight in Week 7.

Mexico Guerreros Turn The Tides On USA Knockouts With A 4-1 Victory And Close In To The Play-Offs

Mexico Guerreros lost to their main rivals USA Knockouts 4-1 in their away match in Miami on Week 4 but their boxers got the perfect revenge in Aguascalientes with an important 4-1 victory and overtook their rivals in the group.

The host franchise was strongly represented in the Heavyweight class (91kg) by Ecuadorian boxer Julio Castillo. His strong performance against USA Knockouts’ National Trials silver medallist Adrian Taylor with impactful hooks in the opening two rounds allowed him to take the lead after six minutes of the fight and bring home the points for his team.

Mexico Guerreros’ Ivan Delgado the Bantamweight class (56 kg) boxer matched against USA Knockouts’ Colombian hope Johan Vargas who made his WSB debut. Debutant Vargas looked nervous in the first round while Delgado was more confident and his punches were faster than the Colombian boxer’s shots. Displaying his skills, Delgado’s dominance was impressive in the last minutes of the bout and he delivered a unanimous points win giving a second success for the home team.

Colombian Jorge Vivas recently qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the AIBA American Olympic Qualification Event, made his return to WSB and the Middleweight class (75 kg) boxer suffered strong opposition against USA Knockouts’ Ecuadorian Gustiniano Mina. Mina operated from longer range and his quick jabs were too dangerous for the Colombian boxer who experienced a surprise loss to the USA Knockouts boxer.

In the Light Flyweight class (49 kg), Mexico Guerreros were represented by 19-year-old Elwin Soto. Chasing his first WSB victory, the southpaw rapidly shocked USA Knockouts’ Colombian teenager Hernan Alarcon with his amazing body shots and lethal jabs and the inevitable knockout came in the opening round to the delights of the crowd.

Mexico Guerreros turn the tides on USA Knockouts with a 4-1 victory and close in to the play-offs

In the fifth and final bout of the night Mexico Guerreros’ new Light Welterweight class (64 kg) hope Roberto Zariñana made his WSB debut against USA Knockouts’ Ringside Tournament winner younger Robby Gonzales. Gonzales was in control of the 1st part of the contest but after Guerreros’ boxer damaging right body punch, the USA Knockouts’ pugilist collapsed to the canvas and could not recover, giving Zariñana the final win of the night, making it 4-1 for the Mexico Guerreros who overtook their rivals in the Playoffs race.

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.