British Lionhearts roar into WSB Season VI final with 7-3 win over Astana Arlans Kazakhstan

The British Lionhearts were on dazzling form in London’s York Hall on Friday night, going one better than their 3-2 first leg win to record a famous 4-1 victory over the titleholders to reach their first ever WSB final. The 7-3 aggregate score means they will now meet the Cuba Domadores in the final in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, next weekend.

The Arlans’ former National Champion Azamat Issakulov started brightly against the Lionhearts’ Armenian draft pick Koryun Soghomonyan with some swift attacking flair, but Soghomonyan soon found his rhythm and accuracy in the second and third rounds to assume the advantage. Issakulov finished strongly, but the Armenian flyweight had already done enough to earn a unanimous decision and set the home side on their way.

Luke McCormack then met ASBC Asian Confederation silver medallist Zakir Safiullin in a patient, tactical lightweight bout. Safiullin was wary of his opponents body shots and defended well in the opening rounds, but McCormack kept his focus, taking a crucial lead that the Kazakh’s resilient spirit could not break through and earning the home side a healthy 5-2 lead.

The Arlans were far from finished, however, and Aslanbek Shymbergenov came out blazing against Josh Kelly as the visitors tried to force their way back in to the tie. The Kazah welterweight was imperious in the opening round, boxing from distance and closing up when required, controlling the match right to the final bell to make it 5-3 and give his side a glimmer of hope.

British Lionhearts roar into WSB Season VI final with 7-3 win over Astana Arlans Kazakhstan

The Lionhearts’ Bulgarian boxer Radoslav Pantaleev had other ideas, however, and followed his teammates success in keeping his distance from the experienced Nurdaulet Zharmanov. As Zharmanoc fell behind he was forced to chase the match, and as he tired, Pantaleev was able to capitalise on the small errors, earning a unanimous points win and confirming the Lionhearts’ place in the Season VI final.

With the win guaranteed, British powerhouse Frazer Clarke was able to enjoy a crowd-pleasing finale against fellow promising super heavyweight Kamshybek Kunkabayev. Both boxers have big-hitting reputations, and the Kazakh landed a solid left in the second round to floor Clarke, but the Lionhearts star responded well, taking control of a superb final contest to win by split decision, raising the roof in London’s York Hall.

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.

Uzbek Tigers’ Big Names Hold Key To Unlocking Russian Boxing Team’s Perfect Record in Season VI Quarter-Finals

One of the most eagerly awaited matches of the Season VI Quarter-Finals sees Russian Boxing Team host Uzbek Tigers in the city of Ulyanovsk on Friday and Saturday evenings. The Russians were the only team to finish the preliminaries with a 100% record, while the Tigers have made a hugely impressive start to their WSB story, leading Group D until the final week to ensure a Play-Off place at the first attempt. The Uzbek side has the strength in depth to push the Russians all the way, but here are some of the key battles that could make or break the tie:

49 kg – Bator Sagaluev (RUS) vs. Hasanboy Dusmatov (UZB)

Russian Boxing Team’s 24-year-old Bator Sagaluev won gold at the 2015 European Games and has been undefeated so far this campaign, defeating Venezuela’s Yonny Calderones and Argentina’s Nicolas Alfonso to help his team to the Play-Offs. With a reputation for exquisite right hooks and TKO wins, the home crowd will be baying for the light flyweight to deliver the goods once again.

Sagaluev’s opponent, however, is ASBC Asian Champion and 2016 Olympic qualifier Hasanboy Dusmatov, who boasts an unbeaten 9-0 record in WSB having previously boxed with Ukraine Otamans. Dusmatov won the previous encounter between the pair three years ago, and could repeat the feat in Russia.

69 kg – Albert Karibian (RUS) vs. Shakhram Giyasov (UZB)

Russian Team’s Albert Karibian is a promising young boxer who defeated Rafako Hussars Poland’s Damian Kiwior on his WSB debut in Szczecin earlier this season and then maintained an unbeaten record with wins over Argentina Condors’ Maximilian Ocampo and Venezuela Caciques’ Victor Pinango.

The welterweight will have to overcome one of the most improved boxers in the category, Uzbek National Champion Shakhram Giyasov, a man who, despite having to make his WSB debut in this high-pressure situation, has enough international AIBA Open Boxing experience to trouble the home boxer, including gold at the recent AIBA Asia and Oceania Olympic Qualification Event in Qian’an.

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 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.