SEASON IV, 2013-2014
SEASON IV, 2013-2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WSB BOARD CHAIRMAN‘S MESSAGE ............................................................................................................. 5 ABOUT WSB ...................................................................................................................................................... 7 ABOUT WSB ........................................................................................................................................... 8 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................ 13 WSB RULES IN SEASON IV ....................................................................................................................... 14 NEW FRANCHISE .................................................................................................................................... 15 OFFICIAL GLOVE SUPPLIER - ADIDAS ....................................................................................................... 16 FRANCHISES ...................................................................................................................................................... 19 GROUP A ................................................................................................................................................ 20 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE GROUP A ................................................................................................. 21 ALGERIA DESERT HAWKS ....................................................................................................................... 22 ARGENTINA CONDORS ........................................................................................................................... 26 GERMAN EAGLES ................................................................................................................................... 30 DOLCE & GABBANA ITALIA THUNDER .................................................................................................... 34 UKRAINE OTAMANS ............................................................................................................................... 38 USA KNOCKOUTS ................................................................................................................................... 42 GROUP B ................................................................................................................................................ 46 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE GROUP B ................................................................................................. 47 ASTANA ARLANS KAZAKHSTAN ............................................................................................................. 48 AZERBAIJAN BAKU FIRES ........................................................................................................................ 52 CUBA DOMADORES ............................................................................................................................... 56 HUSSARS POLAND .................................................................................................................................. 60 MEXICO GUERREROS .............................................................................................................................. 64 RUSSIAN BOXING TEAM ......................................................................................................................... 68 REGULAR SEASON ............................................................................................................................................ 73 RESULTS .................................................................................................................................................. 74 STANDINGS ............................................................................................................................................ 76 QUARTER-FINALS ............................................................................................................................................. 79 1ST LEG ................................................................................................................................................... 80 2ND LEG ................................................................................................................................................... 82 SEMI-FINALS ..................................................................................................................................................... 85 1ST LEG ................................................................................................................................................... 86 2ND LEG ................................................................................................................................................... 88 TEAM FINALS .................................................................................................................................................... 91 HOST CITY – BAKU ................................................................................................................................. 92 VENUE – SARHADCHI OLYMPIC SPORT COMPLEX .................................................................................. 94 FINALISTS – AZERBAJIAN BAKU FIRES ...................................................................................................... 96
FINALISTS – CUBA DOMADORES ............................................................................................................ 98 TEAM FINALS – DAY 1 ............................................................................................................................ 100 TEAM FINALS – DAY 2 ............................................................................................................................ 104 WSB CHAMPION .................................................................................................................................... 108
INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS.................................................................................................................................... 111 LIGHT FLYWEIGHT ................................................................................................................................... 112 FLYWEIGHT.............................................................................................................................................. 113 BANTAMWEIGHT..................................................................................................................................... 114 LIGHTWEIGHT.......................................................................................................................................... 115 LIGHT WELTERWEIGHT............................................................................................................................ 116 WELTERWEIGHT....................................................................................................................................... 117 MIDDLEWEIGHT ...................................................................................................................................... 118 LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT.............................................................................................................................. 119 HEAVYWEIGHT........................................................................................................................................ 120 SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT............................................................................................................................. 121 WSB OFFICIALS.................................................................................................................................................. 123 SUPERVISORS.......................................................................................................................................... 124 NEUTRAL RINGSIDE PHYSICIANS.............................................................................................................. 125 REFEREES & JUDGES................................................................................................................................ 126 WSB OFFICIALS ....................................................................................................................................... 128 THE BEST OF THE SEASON ............................................................................................................................... 131 MOST SUCCESSFUL TEAMS .................................................................................................................... 132 MOST SUCCESSFUL BOXERS ................................................................................................................... 133 BEST QUOTES ................................................................................................................................................... 135 BEST QUOTES ......................................................................................................................................... 136 THE SEASON IN PICTURES ............................................................................................................................... 139 THE SEASON IN PICTURES ....................................................................................................................... 140 SEASON V DRAW ............................................................................................................................................. 143 GROUP A ................................................................................................................................................ 144 GROUP B ................................................................................................................................................ 146 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE................................................................................................................. 148 PLAYOFFS ............................................................................................................................................... 150 OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION ....................................................................................................................... 151 TRIBUTE TO WSB FANS .................................................................................................................................... 153 WSB HELPS ME TO BE A BETTER PARENT ................................................................................................ 154
WSB YEARBOOK : TABLE OF CONTENTS – 3
BOARD CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE Dear Boxing Family, Welcome to the World Series of Boxing (WSB) Season IV Yearbook. Season IV was the biggest season in the history of the competition, with contests taking part over four continents, and viewed by thousands of boxing fans in the arenas, as well as millions across the world on television and via our new digital platform AIBA Boxing TV. The unique Team concept of the WSB tournament encapsulates the friendship of both the participants and their trainers, plus the supporters and staff who help make the entire competition one which enthrals everybody across the globe. WSB is perhaps without rival in terms of the action and excitement it possesses, with every match loaded with meaning, as the best boxers in the world compete not just for their own honour, but also for their teammates and their countries. Many WSB aficionados were excited about the debut of Cuba Domadores, and they contributed immeasurably in their first season, as they won the overall Championship in some style, winning the hearts and minds of all who viewed them compete. This season also saw WSB stalwarts Azerbaijan Baku Fires reach their first ever Final, and the host nation for our now legendary Finals weekend came tantalisingly close to victory. Baku was the perfect location for the Finals, as the innovative and dazzling city safely and successfully housed two nights of unforgettable boxing action.
We believe in innovation and progress, and WSB is a wonderful example of what can happen when creative minds work together to achieve a bright competition. I know throughout my travels over the last year just how much of a positive influence WSB is on many lives. Entire countries stop at a standstill when their Teams are competing, and new boxing clubs opening are a frequent occurrence after a Franchise debuts in the competition. Season V will feature even more innovations, with the inclusion of four new Teams, and all of them are eagerly preparing in order to impress the ever growing fan base. The new season with four more teams will see every boxer in the tournament eligible to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, with 17 quotas available for the very best boxers in WSB. This Olympic qualifying process will no doubt ensure that the quality of boxing that will be displayed in Season V can surpass even the magic we saw in Season IV. As the world progresses, it is increasingly important to remain true to the traditions which have harnessed our great sport of boxing in the past, while constantly seeking to improve and influence the world of sport and beyond. WSB is the combination of respect and revolution, and we thank you very much for your continued support. Enjoy this issue. Yours in sport,
With every passing season WSB becomes ever more enclosed into the sporting world, and is now screened in all corners of the globe, with hundreds of thousands of followers eagerly discussing and debating every event on our social media platforms.
Ching-Kuo Wu
WSB YEARBOOK : BOARD CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE – 5
ABOUT WSB
YEARBOOK – SEASON IV, 2013-2014
WSB YEARBOOK : ABOUT WSB – 7
ABOUT WSB
Developed by AIBA, World Series of Boxing (WSB) is a unique concept and innovative take on the sport featuring the revolutionary format of Premier Boxing League. The league boasts franchises from five continents : Africa, South America, North America, Asia and Europe, bringing together the best boxers from all ranks and nations to compete for international franchises. WSB provides boxers with further development opportunities by competing at the highest level in a structured and transparent format, ensuring with long term financial stability and credible career prospects, while at the same time retaining their Olympic eligibility. No less than 50 WSB boxers participated in the London 2012 Olympic Games, with a total 13 of them winning medals (two gold, four silver and seven bronze). Olympic qualification is a highly demanding challenge for athletes and the sheer number of WSB competitors who enjoyed success in London clearly shows the caliber of talent competing across the tournament. In Season V, 17 boxers have the chance to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games through WSB while this number was only five in the run up to the London 2012 Olympic Games. On top of this, 26 more quota places will be distributed between APB and WSB boxers through further AIBA qualifying events. The dawning of the new boxing era started with the inception of WSB Season I, which was launched November 19, 2010. Since then, the league has gone from strength to strength.
In its inaugural year, the WSB competition comprised 12 teams spanning the globe in three continental conferences : the Americas, Asia and Europe. 219 boxers from 49 countries competed, and amongst those were 18 Olympic and World Championships medalists. For the first time, the world’s top boxers could enjoy training in a team, with regular competition against world-class opponents and the opportunity of earning a regular salary, along with a performance based bonus system. French franchise Paris United became the first WSB Champions and the five winners of the WSB Individual Championships were awarded Champion’s belts and secured direct qualification for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
In 2011/2012, the 12 teams were split into two ‘world’ groups to further enhance the global appeal of the league. After a six month season consisting of 73 matches and 370 bouts, the Season II Team Final saw Dolce & Gabbana Milano Thunder prevailing over Dynamo Moscow to be crowned WSB Champions. The WSB Individual Championships, like the Team Final, were held at the ExCeL Arena London, a venue which would later host the London 2012 Olympic Games, and once again showcased the very best boxers in the competition, all looking to stake their claim on the five Champion’s belts. Season III (2012/2013) saw a popular switch away from city based teams to national ones. This gave the chance for fans from a whole nation to support an integrated
WSB YEARBOOK : ABOUT WSB – 9
ABOUT WSB
group of boxers representing their native land, further promoting a feeling of unity and togetherness, an integral part of the competition’s ethos. The balance of power in the ring shifted east last season, and after six months of hard fought competition, featuring 12 teams and 370 high octane bouts, the 2012-2013 WSB Team Finals featured the Ukraine Otamans and Astana Arlans Kazakhstan. The finals were fought across two days, and produced some of the most exciting boxing action ever seen, with the result going down to the wire in the most dramatic fashion. With the scores tied at five bouts a piece after the traditional ten bouts had been fought, the event and therefore the entire season went down to a single tiebreaker bout which saw the Arlans win one of the most enthralling WSB Team Finals to date. Season IV began in November 2013, and was hailed by many as the most exciting and competitive in WSB history, thrilling audiences all over the world. Much of the enthusiasm stemmed from the arrival of the Cuban national team in the shape of Cuba Domadores. As one of the strongest boxing nations in the world, the Cubans were thrown straight into the proverbial lions’ den, being drawn in a WSB Regular Season “Group of Death” together with defending champions Astana Arlans Kazakhstan, Season III semi-finalists Mexico Guerreros, a reborn and lethal Russian Team, WSB “bad boys” Azerbaijan Baku Fires and the rugged Series III quarter-finalists Hussars Poland.
One of the most noticeable aspects of Season IV was the sheer unpredictability of the action, with the majority of the Teams involved all competing on a level playing field. Few can forget Azerbaijan defeating Italy 5-0 at home in the quarter-finals, while Russia’s two-legged clash with Ukraine at the same stage was described by International Boxing Association (AIBA) President and WSB Board Chairman Dr Ching-Kuo Wu as the “perfect symbol of peace through sport”. The four semi-finals consisted of Teams from the Group of Death, and staged some truly amazing boxing. Cuba had only lost one contest in Season IV heading into the semi-finals, an away defeat against Russia. The Domadores atoned for that loss by beating Russia home and away in the semi-finals, to reach the WSB Finals in their debut season. Azerbaijan Baku Fires had been involved in WSB since the very first season, but had never managed to make it to the final. They finally did so in their semi-final against the defending Champions Astana Arlans Kazakhstan, coming back from losing the first leg away 3-2, to winning 4-1 in their home leg, setting up a dream final against Cuba Domadores. The two-legged Final was one for the ages and it was Cuba who completed the perfect debut season with the narrowest of victories. After two nights of frantic and furious action, Cuba emerged victorious 6-5 after a tiebreaker match to conclude the best WSB season yet and forging their own history in the competition in the most stunning fashion imaginable.
Season V will see the introduction of a further four franchises. Morocco will join their Maghreb neighbors Algeria Desert Hawks in the competition creating a derby of North African nations and Venezuela Caciques will be the second side from South America in the competition, after Argentina Condors. Season V will also welcome the return of a team from boxing powerhouse China as well as the second franchise from the Caribbean Puerto Rico Hurricanes. All will make for a strongly eclectic mix of newly blooded franchises, former champions and experienced campaigners all hungry for WSB glory and the paramount incentive of an Olympic Games quota place for Rio 2016. At WSB we are committed to striving towards our goal to provide the best in boxing talent competing in a transparent and clear competition system whilst providing a financially and developmentally beneficial environment in which our boxers can thrive. We want you to join us with our next step on this journey beginning in Season V.
WSB YEARBOOK: ABOUT WSB - 11
INTRODUCTION
YEARBOOK – SEASON IV, 2013-2014
WSB YEARBOOK : INTRODUCTION – 13
WSB RULES IN SEASON IV
• 10-Point-Must-System • No vests or head guards During the Regular Season, teams were divided into two groups of six teams. Within each group, the teams met once home and away, with each team fighting a total of ten matches. At the end of the regular season, the four top ranked teams in each group moved into the Playoffs. The Playoffs consisted of four quarter-finals, two semifinals and one final match over two nights.
Weight categories • Light flyweight (46-49 kg) • Flyweight (52 kg) • Bantamweight (56 kg) • Lightweight (60 kg) • Light welterweight (64 kg) • Welterweight (69 kg) • Middleweight (75 kg) • Light heavyweight (81 kg) • Heavyweight (91 kg) • Super heavyweight (91+ kg)
NEW FRANCHISE
The arrival of Cuba Domadores to WSB Season IV was one of the biggest news stories in 2013, and their entry into boxing’s major sporting competition reignited the interest in the sport of many lapsed boxing enthusiasts, plus saw thousands of new fans join the bulging fanbase of WSB. As one of the most successful nations in boxing history, Cuba bought along with their entry almost 100 years of consistent international success, and dozens of boxers who all competed with beguiling skill combined with speed and reflexes that seemed as fast as lightning. Boasting Olympic gold medalists, AIBA World Champions and a never ending stream of up and coming prospects, the impact of the Domadores stretched further than the boxing ring, with their WSB exploits attracting media interest from all over the world, including their own Havana Times, The Daily Mail, The Guardian, Yahoo Sports, BBC Sport and many more newspapers, magazines and websites. Their debut in WSB, plus the tremendous fanbase of each of the other Franchises saw WSB’s social media statistics explode, as the official Facebook page of the competition rocketed from 17,500 at the start of Season IV, to 170,000 by the Finals. As well as the strong online presence WSB exhibited throughout Season IV via the website, social media, and through their live streaming service, many WSB matches were showcased on live television throughout the world, including a deal with one of Britain’s biggest sports channels BT Sport.
WSB YEARBOOK : INTRODUCTION – 15
OFFICIAL GLOVE SUPPLIER ADIDAS
WSB YEARBOOK : OFFICIAL GLOVE SUPPLIER – 17
FRANCHISES
YEARBOOK – SEASON IV, 2013-2014
WSB YEARBOOK : FRANCHISES – 19
GROUP A
Group A was an intriguing group, and full of teams who were aiming to realise their potential in WSB. The eventual winners of the group were the flamboyant Dolce & Gabbana Italia Thunder, who won nine of their ten Regular Season matches, with 35 wins against 15 losses. Italy amassed one of the best squads in WSB between Season III and IV, and the likes of Andrew Selby and Clemente Russo gave the Italians a winning edge as they finished top of Group A by a single point. They were joined in the knockout stages by Ukraine Otamans, the beaten finalists in WSB season III, and they narrowly finished in second place with an 8-2 record. The other two qualifiers had less impressive Regular Season records. Both Team Germany, and USA Knockouts lost more matches than they won, but despite that they both qualified ahead of Argentina Condors, and Algeria Desert Hawks. However the bottom four teams in the group at all times showcased some incredible boxing, and all have the capabilities to improve next season.
GROUP A
ALGERIA DESERT HAWKS
ARGENTINA CONDORS
GERMAN EAGLES
DOLCE & GABBANA ITALIA THUNDER
UKRAINE OTAMANS
USA KNOCKOUTS
REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE GROUP A WEEK
1
2
3
4
5
DATE
HOME
AWAY
15.11.2013
Argentina
Italy
16.11.2013
Ukraine
USA
16.11.2013
Germany
22.11.2013
WEEK
DATE
HOME
AWAY
17.01.2014
USA
Ukraine
18.01.2014
Algeria
Germany
Algeria
18.01.2014
Italy
Argentina
USA
Argentina
31.01.2014
Argentina
USA
08.03.2014
Germany
Ukraine
01.02.2014
Italy
Algeria
12.03.2014
Algeria
Italy
14.02.2014
Ukraine
Germany
06.12.2013
Ukraine
Argentina
07.02.2014
Germany
Italy
07.12.2013
Algeria
USA
07.02.2014
USA
Algeria
07.12.2013
Italy
Germany
08.02.2014
Argentina
Ukraine
13.12.2013
Ukraine
Italy
21.02.2014
Algeria
Argentina
13.12.2013
Argentina
Algeria
21.02.2014
USA
Germany
15.02.2014
Germany
USA
22.02.2014
Italy
Ukraine
10.01.2014
Germany
Argentina
cancelled
Ukraine
Algeria
10.01.2014
USA
Italy
01.03.2014
Italy
USA
11.01.2014
Algeria
Ukraine
01.03.2014
Argentina
Germany
6
7
8
9
10
WSB YEARBOOK : GROUP A – 21
ALGERIA DESERT HAWKS GROUP A Algeria’s second season in WSB saw them improve, as they won three matches despite finishing bottom of Group A. Indeed, the Desert Hawks were still able to qualify for the playoffs ahead of the last match of the Regular Season, which displayed their improvement. Led by the Algerian Boxing Federation (FAB) President Nabil Saadi, the WSB’s first African franchise has huge support on home soil, and it was their form in Algeria which was so impressive, as they won three out of five fixtures at home. Those wins included victories over playoffs qualifiers USA Knockouts and Team Germany, as well as a hugely spirited 3-2 win over Argentina Condors. The arrival of a second African Franchise from Morocco in Season V will hopefully bring out the best of the Desert Hawks, as they will aim to establish themselves as the dominant African team. World Championships silver medallist, the Light Flyweight Mohamed Flissi had an up and down Season IV, but his return win over Serge Neumann was the first win of the night in Algeria’s historic victory over Team Germany, and was perhaps Algeria’s most important victory of the season.
HEAD COACH : Ahmed Dine The Algerian native Ahmed Dine was a natural choice to coach the Desert Hawks. A two time Olympian (1988 Seoul and 1992 Barcelona), Dine lived and boxed out of the Mediterranean town of Bou Ismail which lies just outside Algiers. Following his Olympic adventures, Dine clocked up a professional record of 11-8-2 following the Barcelona Games with his last bout coming in 2003. Taking charge of the Desert Hawks for their inaugural season represented a fantastic coaching opportunity for Dine to truly help shape the future of the sport in his country, and his methods have seen some great home form for his proud boxing nation.
WSB YEARBOOK : ALGERIA DESERT HAWKS – 23
ALGERIA DESERT HAWKS GROUP A ALGERIA DESERT HAWKS SQUAD LIGHT FLY
FLY
BANTAM
LIGHT
LIGHT WELTER
FLISSI Mohamed
KENTACHE Amine
BRAHIMI Samir
BELOURA Oualid
CHADI Abdelkader
TAMMA Mohamed
OURADI Abdelhalim
BENBAZIZ Reda
RICHARNO Colin
IFARATENE Mustapha
BELOUCIF Ramzi
KENNOUCHE Farid
OTENG Oteng
SAROUNA Fatiou Bless
OUADAHI Mohamed Amine
ALGERIA DESERT HAWKS SQUAD WELTER
MIDDLE
LIGHT HEAVY
HEAVY
SUPER HEAVY
CHAABANE Fehim
ABBADI Ilyas
KAALAOUR Hichem
BOULOUDINATS Chouaib
AGBONSON Ayaovi
HAMICHE Mustapha
TABI Sofiane
SAMOUDI Nordine
OUCHACHE Ramy
HAOUCHET Souhaib
KASSEL Nabil
TOUAHAR Fateh
SAINT PIERRE Joseph Kennedy
BELAHOUEL Imad
DEMMENE DEBBIH Nadir
BEGUERNI Hamza RAHMANI Kamel
WSB YEARBOOK : ALGERIA DESERT HAWKS – 25
ARGENTINA CONDORS GROUP A The Argentina Condors was one of the biggest success stories of Season III, as they made it to the playoffs in their debut season. The South American outfit struggled to replicate their form in Season IV, as they finished fifth in Group A, with three wins and seven losses from ten matches. Despite high expectations, the Franchise could not find any consistency over the course of the Regular Season, which stemmed from an opening home defeat to Italia Thunder. Heavy defeats became a sad reality for Argentina, although they did push USA Knockouts all the way to the wire in week two with a narrow loss 3-2 in Florida. Perhaps the most frustrating fact for fans of the Condors was that when the team was in form, they looked absolutely spectacular. A memorable 4-1 thrashing of Algeria Desert Hawks just before Christmas still lives long in the memory, while they also defeated group leaders Ukraine Otamans 3-2 in Buenos Aires towards the latter stages of the Regular Season.
The potential for the future of the Argentinian team was showcased in their last match of Season IV, as they defeated Team Germany 3-2 at home. Next season will be a key one for the Condors, and their home shape will be crucial to any possible future success. While The Argentina Condors boast a tough and close team, two of their stars shone brightest last season. The Bantamweight, Alberto Melian won all five of his Season IV contests, and showcased himself as one of the greatest talents in the entire competition. Heavyweight Yamil Peralta has never lost in his eight WSB fights, and his efforts against Germany’s Johann Witt in the last week of action resulted in one of the most dominant performances of the season. HEAD COACH : Julio Cesar Garcia Julio Cesar Garcia was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, and has been living in Argentina for nearly 40 years, spending the majority of his time as a professional Boxing Coach. Since 1977 he has trained boxers in the FAB (Argentinian Boxing Federation) Gym, and in November 2012 he started working with the national team in the WSB. In January 2013 he was promoted to the position of Head Coach, and his coaching methods have already been proved successful.
WSB YEARBOOK : ARGENTINA CONDORS – 27
ARGENTINA CONDORS GROUP A ARGENTINA CONDORS SQUAD LIGHT FLY
FLY
BANTAM
LIGHT
LIGHT WELTER
BLANC Leandro
SÃNCHEZ Jonathan Emanuel
CARLONI Piero
NUÑEZ Brian Ivan
AQUINO Carlos
ZARATE Junior Leandro
MARTINEZ Fernando
PERRIN Ignacio
GALLO Fernando Abel
CARRASCO H. Juan Javier CHAVES Sebastian Gabriel
LOURENÇO Patrick
RODA Christian Eduardo
MELIAN Alberto Ezequiel
SANCHEZ Ronan Nahuel
CHOQUE CHAMBI Cristian Alan
ARIAS COSTA Ariel
GONZALEZ Elias Nahuel
LUNA Ezequiel Martina
CHAVES Brian Damian
PALMETTA Alberto
ARGENTINA CONDORS SQUAD WELTER
MIDDLE
LIGHT HEAVY
HEAVY
SUPER HEAVY
CASTANO Carlos Brian
REYNOSO Tomas Andrés
LUNA Leandro
YAMIL Yamil Alberto
BRAVO Luis Miguel
POLANCO FERRERAS Henrri David
LEBENSZTAJN Sergio
LARROSA CALVENTO Miguel Angel
RICHARDS Gabriel
GHIGLIONE Facundo
JACOBI AMARILLA Alejandro Enrique
VELASCO CHANANPA Juan José
LIMA Pedro
CARABAJAL Sergio Mauricio
OLIVER Josue Manuel
SUAREZ Braian Nahuel
FERNANDEZ Demian Daniel
OZAN Carlos Gabriel
SOTO Matias
GONZALEZ SILVA Adrian
RAMIREZ Victor
SOLIS Facundo ROTELA Silvio
PITTO Patricio
VERON Luis Alberto
WSB YEARBOOK : ARGENTINA CONDORS – 29
GERMAN EAGLES GROUP A Team Germany was drawn in group A for Season IV and qualified for the playoffs, thanks in part to their dogged consistency, only winning three of their ten Regular Season matches, in which the German team won 24 and lost 26 of their 50 bouts. This almost 50% ratio ensured their position ahead of USA Knockouts despite winning a match fewer. Germany started Season IV with a whitewash 5-0 home victory over Algeria Desert Hawks in Frankfurt, and made it two dominating home wins out of two in week three as they crushed Argentina Condors 5-0. A narrow home loss to Italia Thunder 3-2 was followed by a destructive 5-0 win over USA Knockouts in their fourth home match, before they were routed themselves 5-0 by Ukraine Otamans in their last home match of the Regular Season. Their three home wins qualified them for the playoffs, where they narrowly lost their home quarter-final match 3-2 to Astana Arlans Kazakhstan, before being whitewashed 5-0 in the second leg. Artem Harutyunyan was one of Germany’s brightest Season IV prospects, as the Light Welterweight amassed a 3-1 record over the course of the season, notching up several impressive victories.
HEAD COACH : Valentin Silaghi The 54 year old native Romanian started boxing at the age of 15 in 1972. He won the silver medal at the 1979 European Championships in Cologne and the bronze medal at the European Championships in 1981. At the Moscow 1980 Olympic Games, Silaghi then won the bronze medal. After the 1982 World Championships in Munich, he stayed in Germany where he started working for the German Amateur Boxing Federation (DABV), becoming a coach in 1985 and being promoted through the ranks to become national coach in 1990. From 2006 to 2009, he coached professional boxers and in 2010, Silaghi returned to the German Federation and has been working as Head National Coach since then. During his career, he has overseen the development of famous boxers such as Sven Ottke and Dariusz Michalczewski.
WSB YEARBOOK : GERMAN EAGLES – 31
GERMAN EAGLES GROUP A GERMAN EAGLES SQUAD LIGHT FLY
FLY
BANTAM
LIGHT
LIGHT WELTER
NEUMANN Serge
BEBLIK Ronny
CONLAN Michael
BRIL Artur
HARUTYUNYAN Artem
MALEIKA Steven
WALTH Edgar
JOYCE David Oliver
SOPA Kastriot
CHACON Ronaldo
BERCEANU Ovidiu
EL HAG Omar
ISAIEV Mosvar
TOUBA Hamza
THARUMALINGAM Thulasimaaran
HARUTYUNYAN Robert EMINOVIC Amet
ZAPATA Samuel José
FRANK Angelo
GERMAN EAGLES SQUAD WELTER
MIDDLE
LIGHT HEAVY
HEAVY
SUPER HEAVY
KERBER Vjaceslav
PASKALI Xhek
KÜNZEL Kevin
AHMATOVIC Emir
KIYDIN Ali
PERVIZAJ Albon
MARUTJAN Arajik Witaliji
HÄRTEL Stefan
MICHEL Serge
MANN Artur
DOHL Dieter
BARAOU Abbas
WITT Johann
ATTANJAOUI Josef
TEZIEV Igor
DEINES Jakob
MINA Carlos
PFEIFER Erik SCHULZ Florian
RADOVAN Dennis
WSB YEARBOOK : GERMAN EAGLES – 33
DOLCE & GABBANA ITALIA THUNDER GROUP A The WSB Season II Champions Italia Thunder has been one of the most successful Franchises in WSB history, and enjoyed one of the strongest squads of Season IV. The home form of the Italians has been legendary in WSB folklore, and they came into the fourth season of the competition having never tasted defeat in Italy. That record was kept intact as they won all six of their home fixtures in Season IV, amassing a 25-5 score, and becoming the first WSB team to pass 100 home wins in the competition. Indeed the Italians dominated the group stages, finishing top of Group A by losing just once in ten matches away in Ukraine, which led them to a playoff contest against Azerbaijan Baku Fires. The first leg of the contest was a disaster for the Italians, as they lost every single bout, including a shocking knockout defeat for their Heavyweight legend Clemente Russo in the first round. Back at home in the second leg the Italians tried all they could, with an impressive 4-1 victory, but they exited the competition at the playoff stage for the second successive season, which was a huge disappointment for their legion of fans. Their brightest talents in Season IV were Welsh superstar Andrew Selby, who continued his undefeated WSB record with several magnificent performances for Italy throughout the season, and Domenico Valentino, who also impressed many onlookers throughout his matches in this Season.
HEAD COACH : Francesco Damiani Francesco Damiani, who is coaching the Italia Thunder team, took silver medals as a boxer at both the 1982 AIBA World Boxing Championships in Munich and at the 1984 Olympic Games. He was also crowned European Champion in Tampere (Finland) in 1981 and in Varna (Bulgaria) in 1983. He fought 140 bouts before turning professional in 1985 and amassing a record of 32 wins and 2 losses. As a coach, he has lead boxers to one bronze medal at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, two gold (Clemente Russo, Roberto Camarelle) and one silver medal at the Chicago 2007 AIBA World Boxing Championships, two gold medals at the AIBA World Boxing Championships Milano 2009 and one gold, one silver and one bronze medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. He was once again ringside at the London 2012 Olympic Games to see his athletes claim two silvers and a bronze.
WSB YEARBOOK : ITALIA THUNDER – 35
DOLCE & GABBANA ITALIA THUNDER GROUP A ITALIA THUNDER SQUAD LIGHT FLY
FLY
BANTAM
LIGHT
LIGHT WELTER
BARRIGA Mark Anthony
SELBY Andrew
DJELKHIR Khedafi
CONCEICAO Robson
DE DONATO Renato
BARNES Patrick
D’ANDREA Riccardo
BAGATIN Simone
INTROVAIA Fabio
STANKOVIC Branimir
CONSELMO Gianluca
GALLO Iuliano
CRUDETTI Michelle
VALENTINO Domenico
FESTOSI Davide
PICARDI Vincenzo
VANGELI Dario
ITALIA THUNDER SQUAD WELTER
MIDDLE
LIGHT HEAVY
HEAVY
SUPER HEAVY
PINTAUDI Riccardo
JURATONI Bogdan
MULLENBERG Peter
SZELLO Imre
JOYCE Joseph
DI RUSSO Alfonso
TAVARES Michel Maurice
BENCHABLA Abdelhafid
SPAHIU Endri
NISTOR Mihai
MANGIACAPRE Vincenzo
CREATI Danilo
SPERANDIO Adriano
RUSSO Clemente
FEDERICI Mario
DI GIACOMO Michele
SCARDINA Daniele
INDACO Eugenio
ROSCIGLIONE Gianluca
WSB YEARBOOK : ITALIA THUNDER – 37
UKRAINE OTAMANS GROUP A Coming off a losing effort in the extremely close WSB Final in Season III, Ukraine Otamans started the fourth edition of the tournament looking to replicate their great form. Everything started well for the all-star team, as they won their first five matches before a surprise away defeat in Argentina. The Otamans, who won all of their five home matches in the group stages, only lost 14 of 50 bouts, which saw them qualify second in the group, and safely through to the playoffs, where they met with Russian Boxing Team. The hugely emotional meeting was described by AIBA President and WSB Board Chairman Dr Ching-Kuo Wu as a “perfect symbol of peace through sport.” The first leg in Russia saw a comfortable win for the home team, as they trounced Ukraine 4-1, and they repeated the result in Ukraine in leg two, resulting in a mammoth 8-2 aggregate win for the Russians, and in turn eliminating the former finalists. Middleweight Dmytro Mytrofanov who boxed for Mexico Guerreros until Ukraine launched their own franchise was Ukraine’s best boxer of Season IV. He now deserves to be considered among the very top WSB boxers after taking his record to 10-3, with his only loss of the season in a very tight defeat against Russia’s Artem Chebotarev.
HEAD COACH : Valentyn Sobolyevskyy The WSB Ukraine Otamans team has been coached in Season IV by the honoured coach in the country, Valentyn Sobolyevskyy. Before joining the team, he worked as the head coach of the Ukrainian national boxing team, the state boxing coach of the Ukrainian Ministry of Youth and Sports and a coach-consultant in Iran. In his coaching career spanning more than 30 years he has trained the USSR Cup and USSR and Ukrainian Championships champions. Mr. Sobolyevskyy was also the one who identified a promising young fighter Oleksandr Usyk, a future European, World and Olympic Champion who was at that time still a junior.
WSB YEARBOOK : UKRAINE OTAMANS – 39
UKRAINE OTAMANS GROUP A UKRAINE OTAMANS SQUAD LIGHT FLY
FLY
BANTAM
LIGHT
LIGHT WELTER
KUDRYAKOV Vadym
USENALIEV Azat
MAGURIN Igor
ISCHENKO Pavlo
PETRAUSKAS Evaldas
PRUDKYI Oleg
ZAMOTAYEV Dmytro
DUSMATOV Hasanboy
LATIPOV Jasurbek
BUTSENKO Mykola
KYSLYTSYN Vyacheslav
GOLUB Iegor
ILNYTSKIY Ivan
BERINCHYK Denys
SKHARUBO Denis
AVAGIAN Aram
VYETOSHKIN Vladyslav
SHESTAK Iurii
AKHMEDOV Botirzhon OGANISIAN Mger
UKRAINE OTAMANS SQUAD WELTER
MIDDLE
LIGHT HEAVY
HEAVY
SUPER HEAVY
BARABANOV Ievgenii
GOLUB Ivan
GANZULIA Alexandr
KARNEYEU Siarhei
BOUQUET Bence
HORLACHOV Ihor
STRETSKYY Alexandr
KHYZHNIAK Oleksandr
AZIZOV Arseniy
VYKHRYST Viktor
GOLOVASCHENKO Taras
BAKSHI Glib
ARHYPENKO Rostyslav
VOITALIUK Vladislav
GVOZDYK Alexandr
POYATSYKA Denys
MYTROFANOV Dimitriy
SOLONENKO Denys
MANUKIAN Gevorg
PLEVAKO Iegor
LAZAREV Denys
SEMENYAHA Mykola
SKOROKHOD Stanislav
GOLOVASCHENKO Roman
WSB YEARBOOK : UKRAINE OTAMANS – 41
USA KNOCKOUTS GROUP A The North American nation lived up to the hype by building up a reputation as one of the most exciting and intriguing teams in the entire competition . The Franchise struggled in the Group stage of Season IV with only one win in their first four matches, but three wins out of four in the latter stages, including back to back 4-1 victories over Algeria and Argentina. This established the Americans as a major threat, and they eventually qualified fourth in Group A, which set up a mouth-watering quarter-final clash with fellow debutants “Cuba Domadores”. A first leg whitewash defeat in Havana saw the USA struggle to maintain relevancy in the contest, and while they won two bouts in the home second leg at Rockingham Park, Salem, New Hampshire, they ultimately left the tournament after an 8-2 aggregate defeat. Season IV was a great season for the Knockouts, and they unearthed a potential new star in the young Puerto Rican Light Flyweight Anthony Chacon, who won his first two WSB matches, before coming tantalisingly close to defeating the number one ranked Cuban Yosbany Veitia in the quarter-finals. HEAD COACH : Pedro Roque The American team was led by the Cuban coach Pedro Roque, who is one of the most recognized coaches in the world. In 2008 he was awarded AIBA Best Coach of the Year. Earlier that year, Roque took eight boxers into the semi-finals of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
WSB YEARBOOK : USA KNOCKOUTS – 43
USA KNOCKOUTS GROUP A USA KNOCKOUTS SQUAD LIGHT FLY
FLY
BANTAM
LIGHT
LIGHT WELTER
CHACON Anthony
VALENZUELA BARILLAS Eddie
REYES Juan
MAYS Daquan
ADAMES Carlos
RAMOS JR Cresencio
DAVILA Leroy Luther
CORREA Eros
THAPA Shiva
SEDANO Luis
ALDAY JR Jose Luis Romero
EKER Selchuk
SIMS Kenneth Mark
CARL Arthur
FULTON Steven
SULTONOV Bokhodir
JEFFERSON Nicholas
ARCON DIAZ Luis Martin
MATTICE Thomas
TORRES Norberto
SIMPSON Shawn Marco
MARTINEZ Leopoldo
JACKSON Malik Vonte
CARDENAS Ramon
ELLISTON Melik
BIRD Louie
MARTINEZ CASTELLON Eduardo
WILLIAMS Christian
SANDOVAL Edwin
SANDOVAL Edwin
MILLER Ladarius
USA KNOCKOUTS SQUAD WELTER
MIDDLE
LIGHT HEAVY
HEAVY
SUPER HEAVY
WILLIAMS William
DELGADO SUAREZ Marlo Javier
BORGES DE SOUZA Michel
WANG Xuanxuan
YOKA Tony
KILICCI Adem
SANGWAN Sumit
CALIC Marko
SALLAH Mohamed
NEWMAN Earl Anthony
KOON III Paul Gene
HILTON Michael Jamar
THOMPSON JR Lenroy Cameron
TEMPLE Josh
GARCIA Elvis
BOOKER Chordelle
CLARK Jamontay Jevon
BRAVO Osmar
LOSEY Tony
KASIMOV Nodir
MAESTRE Gabriel
PLANT Caleb
CAMPBELL Anthony
DAVIS Kyrone
GRANT Lou
THOMAS Daniel
MIXON Ronald
RODRIGUEZ Le’Shawn Anthony Morgan
TORRES Geremias
VALDES Niko Jules
WSB YEARBOOK : USA KNOCKOUTS – 45
GROUP B
While Group A consisted of many teams who were attempting to fully establish themselves in WSB, Group B was a far more heftier proposition, and was labelled by many as a ‘Group of Death’. The debuting Cuba Domadores were thrown straight into the proverbial lion’s den, in a group consisting of the defending WSB champions Astana Arlans Kazakhstan, Season III semi-finalists Mexico Guerreros, a reborn and lethal Russian Team, WSB stalwarts Azerbaijan Baku Fires and the rugged Series III quarter-finalists Hussars Poland. Despite the fact that the Domadores were in their first ever WSB season, they quickly became experts at winning matches, with just one defeat in their ten Regular Season matches, a narrow 3-2 away defeat to the tough Russian Boxing Team. The Cubans only lost 9 of their 50 Regular Season bouts, winning their first 15 straight, and easily won Group B with 28 points, six ahead of the second placed team, and defending champions Astana Arlans Kazakhstan, who won seven of their ten Regular Season contests. Astana Arlans lived up to their preseason hype, and as ever were ably aided by their master tactician, and Head Coach Sergiy Korchynsky.
GROUP B
ASTANA ARLANS KAZAKHSTAN
AZERBAIJAN BAKU FIRES
CUBA DOMADORES
HUSSARS POLAND
Cuba and Kazakhstan were joined in the knockout stages by Russian Boxing Team, and Azerbaijan Baku Fires, who both showed flashes of brilliance in the Regular Season, their foundations in a very tough group worked positively for them in the latter stages of the WSB Season IV.
MEXICO GUERREROS
Mexico and Poland both displayed their toughness and tenacity, but failed to materialise as consistent threats throughout the group.
RUSSIAN BOXING TEAM
REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE GROUP B WEEK
1
2
3
4
5
DATE
HOME
AWAY
15.11.2013
Kazakhstan
Azerbaijan
15.11.2013
Mexico
Cuba
16.11.2013
Russia
22.11.2013
WEEK
DATE
HOME
AWAY
17.01.2014
Cuba
Mexico
18.01.2014
Azerbaijan
Kazakhstan
Poland
18.01.2014
Poland
Russia
Poland
Cuba
31.01.2014
Cuba
Poland
23.11.2013
Russia
Kazakhstan
31.01.2014
Mexico
Azerbaijan
23.11.2013
Azerbaijan
Mexico
01.02.2014
Kazakhstan
Russia
06.12.2013
Kazakhstan
Mexico
07.02.2014
Mexico
Kazakhstan
06.12.2013
Poland
Azerbaijan
08.02.2014
Azerbaijan
Poland
06.12.2013
Cuba
Russia
12.03.2014
Russia
Cuba
13.12.2013
Kazakhstan
Cuba
21.02.2014
Poland
Mexico
13.12.2013
Mexico
Poland
21.02.2014
Cuba
Kazakhstan
14.12.2013
Russia
Azerbaijan
22.02.2014
Azerbaijan
Russia
10.01.2014
Poland
Kazakhstan
28.02.2014
Cuba
Azerbaijan
11.01.2014
Azerbaijan
Cuba
28.02.2014
Mexico
Russia
11.01.2014
Russia
Mexico
01.03.2014
Kazakhstan
Poland
6
7
8
9
10
WSB YEARBOOK : GROUP B – 47
ASTANA ARLANS KAZAKHSTAN GROUP B Astana Arlans Kazakhstan entered Season IV with a target on their back following their victory in Season III. With a vastly experienced squad, a world class coach and established fan base, Kazakhstan enjoyed another successful year, reaching the semi-finals stage. Winning seven of their ten group matches ensured that the team finished second in Group B. Kazakhstan’s defeats were suffered by The Baku Fires, and Cuba Domadores who beat them home and away. Highlights of their Regular Season included crushing wins over Russian Boxing Team, plus a brutal 4-1 thrashing over Azerbaijan at home. The playoff stages saw Astana Arlans up against Team Germany with an 8-2 aggregate win which opened Kazakhstan doors to the semi-finals, where they matched up with old rivals The Baku Fires. One of the most enthralling two-legged battles took place in the semis, as Kazakhstan won the first leg 3-2, before losing gamely in Azerbaijan 4-1, and thus being eliminated. Ukrainian Middleweight Sergiy Derevyanchenko is perhaps the greatest WSB boxer of all time, and he was hugely impressive in his last season in the competition for Kazakhstan. The legendary star boasts a 23-1 record in WSB. He finished Season IV with a 5-0 record including three stoppage wins. However Kazakhstan’s’ greatest performance in Season IV was that of the Heavyweight sensation Vasilii Levit, who garnered a superb 6-0 record for the Arlans.
HEAD COACH : Sergiy Korchynsky The Ukrainian Sergiy Korchynskyy, was coaching the Russian youth team under the guidance of Nikolaj Hromov for two years until 92 before various stints coaching the Ukrainian Olympic boxing team saw him land the Head coach job for the youth team. He then became a consultant for the Italian national team up until 2013 when he started to combine his duties with coaching Italia Thunder. Korchynskyy then switched to leading the Arlans, where he is assisted by a team of coaches that includes Beibut Yeszhanov (Kazakhstan), Oleg Kovalchuk (Kazakhstan), Victor Demyanenko (Kazakhstan) and Léonard Pijetraj (Croatia).
WSB YEARBOOK : ASTANA ARLANS KAZAKHSTAN – 49
ASTANA ARLANS KAZAKHSTAN GROUP B ASTANA ARLANS KAZAKHSTAN SQUAD LIGHT FLY
FLY
BANTAM
LIGHT
LIGHT WELTER
BERIKBAYEV Mardan
MAKHMETOV Azat
ALIMBEKOV Bagdad
MOMUNOV Zhandos
AKSHALOV Merey
MUZAPAROV Anvar
SATTIBAYEV Olzhas
SHULAKOV Madi
BASHENOV Samat
AZHIBAY Zhanibek
CHSHEGRINOV Roman
UALIKHANOV Askhat
TOITOV Meirbolat
ABRAKHAMOV Berik
MADIEV Ruslan
UTELBAYEV Didar
ZHAILAUOV Gani
KASIMOV Asset
TOITOV Meirbolat
SHVAB Nikolai
KALZNANOV Nurbol
KAMZIN Azat
ISAKULLOV Azamat
ZHAKUPOV Miras
ZHAKIPOV Birzhan
ZHUSSUPOV Temirtas
YELZHANOV Aidyn SULIEMENOV Iliyas
ERALIEV Kairat
UTELBAYEV Didar
ASTANA ARLANS KAZAKHSTAN SQUAD WELTER
MIDDLE
LIGHT HEAVY
HEAVY
SUPER HEAVY
AMIRZAKOV Manat
ALIMKHANULY Zhanibek
SEP Hrvoje
ABDUGANIEV Arbek
HRGOVIC Filip
BERDUKAYEV Suleiman
ALZHANOV Erlik
ROUZBAHANI Ehsan
GELISHKANOV Khamzat
MYRSATAYEV Ruslan
DEREVYANCHENKO Sergiy
NIYAZYMBETOV Adilbek
LEVIT Vasiliy
SIMONIAN Armen
RYSBEK Arman
PINCHUK Anton
ASHKEYEV Madiyar
ELEUSSINOV Daniyar
KOZHABEKOV Bakhtzhan
NURSULTANOV Meirim
SUZHANOV Danabek
WSB YEARBOOK : ASTANA ARLANS KAZAKHSTAN – 51
AZERBAIJAN BAKU FIRES GROUP B Azerbaijan Baku Fires have been in WSB since the inaugural season, and made their first Finals appearance in Season IV, where they lost by the tightest of margins to Cuba Domadores. Azerbaijan finished fourth in Group B, winning five and losing five of their ten matches. However, The Baku Fires had a phenomenal home record over the course of the season, winning six of their seven home matches, and amassing a 28-7 record in Azerbaijan before the Finals. The quarter-finals saw Azerbaijan face many pundits tip for the Season II Champion, Italia Thunder. Azerbaijan won the first leg 5-0 at home, while Italy could only win 4-1 in the second leg, which saw The Baku Fires quality for the semifinals. There they met the defending WSB Champions, Astana Arlans Kazakhstan, who won the first leg 3-2 in Almaty. At home in Azerbaijan in the second leg, The Baku Fires again proved dominant, winning 4-1, meaning they qualified for their first ever Finals via a 6-4 aggregate victory. Baku Fires impressed many WSB fans throughout the season, and will be among the favourite to claim their first title in Season V. In order to achieve such an accolade they will be looking for more great performances from their stars such as Albert Selimov and Gaybatulla Gadzhialiyev whose performances in the Season IV Finals were among the best efforts of the entire season.
HEAD COACH : Nuripasha Talibov Nuripasha Talibov was born in 1960 in Dagestan, and began boxing at the age of 11. In 1983, he graduated from the Volgograd Institute with a diploma in physical education which specialized in the science of coaching boxing. Talibov is now vastly experienced, having been in the National Russian Boxing team coach for several years. He was a personal coach of Arthur Beterbiyev (AIBA World Champion Milan 2009) and Albert Selimov (AIBA World Champion Chicago 2007).
WSB YEARBOOK : AZERBAIJAN BAKU FIRES – 53
AZERBAIJAN BAKU FIRES GROUP B AZERBAIJAN BAKU FIRES SQUAD LIGHT FLY
FLY
BANTAM
LIGHT
LIGHT WELTER
IBIYEV Magomed
ABDULHAMIDOV Magomed
GERMAKHANOV Gairbek
TOJIBAEV Hurshid
ALIYEV Osman
NAMETOV Khamza
AGHAYEV Rauf
GOGATISHVILI Giorgi
SELIMOV Albert
IBRAHIMOV Salman
JABRAILOV Magomedrashid
GASIMLI Nurlan
MAMISHZADE Elvin
RABADANOV Murad
SHAYIMOV Orzubek
UKAYEV Magomedali
GURBANOV Magomed
GAZHIALIYEV Gaybatulla
ASANIDZE Giorgi
AZERBAIJAN BAKU FIRES SQUAD WELTER
MIDDLE
LIGHT HEAVY
HEAVY
SUPER HEAVY
AKHMEDOV Kamil
KHOSITASHVILI Jaba
DAUHALIAVETS Mikhail
ABDULLAYEV Abdulkadir
ISMAILOV Uzeypat
HASANOV Abduldjabar
MIGITINOV Soltan
GURTSIYEV Batraz
CHELES Vladimir
MAKHMUDOV Arslanbek
NURUDZINAU Mahammad
MUSALOV Khaybula
MAGOMEDAU Ramazan
LATYPOV Danis
MEDZHIDOV Magomedrasul
VESIALOU Mikalai
MAGOMEDOV Samir
RAMASHKEVICH Yauheni
MURTUZALIYEV Haji
MAMMADOV Teymur
WSB YEARBOOK : AZERBAIJAN BAKU FIRES – 55
CUBA DOMADORES GROUP B Although many people were expecting great things from Cuba Domadores in their debut WSB season, it was still a huge achievement for the Franchise to win the WSB title in such dominating fashion. Despite being placed in the so called Group of Death in the Regular Season, Cuba only lost one match out of ten in a narrow 3-2 away battle with Russian Boxing Team. An incredible six of their ten Regular Season matches were whitewashes, with Cuba winning all five contests on the night. Cuba finished top of Group B, with a total of 28 points, and 41 wins against just nine defeats. This result saw them quality through to the quarter-final, where they defeated USA Knockouts 5-0 at home in Havana, before winning 3-2 away in United States. This led Cuban newcomers to WSB through to the SemiFinals, where they were drawn against Russian Boxing Team. In the first leg they gained revenge for their sole WSB loss with a spirited 3-2 away win in Moscow. In the second leg at home in Havana Cubans asserted their dominance even further, with yet another whitewash 5-0 win, and a place in the Finals at the first time of asking. Many of their boxers impressed throughout the Season and during Finals weekend, but Erislandy Savon, the 7-0 number one ranked Heavyweight, undefeated gold medal specialist Welterweight Roniel Iglesias Sotolongo, and the number one ranked 8-0 Light Flyweight Yosbany Veitia were among their most dazzling competitors.
HEAD COACH : Rolando Acebal Rolando Acebal began his career as a boxing coach in 1978 and has gone on to become the Technical Director of the Cuba Olympic National Team. He has coached some of the most successful boxers that the island has produced over the last twenty years or so including three Olympic champions : Yuriorkis Gamboa Toledano (2004 – Athens), Joel Casamayor Jhonson and Rogelio Marcelo García (1992 – Barcelona). Always keeping up to date with the latest developments in the sport Acebal was recertified as a Level 3 Coach during the AIBA World Boxing Championships Almaty 2013.
WSB YEARBOOK : CUBA DOMADORES – 57
CUBA DOMADORES GROUP B CUBA DOMADORES SQUAD LIGHT FLY
FLY
BANTAM
LIGHT
LIGHT WELTER
AMADOR Santiago
NUÑEZ Leodan
YERA Norlan
VICENTE Pablo
TOLEDO LOPEZ Yasniel
BETANCOURT Reytel
CORDERO PARLAY Jorge Luis
FORESTAL COUTIN Marcos Antonio
ALVAREZ ESTRADA Lazaro Jorge
BROWN BAZAIN Kevin Hayler
CERVANTES TEJADA Gerardo M.
RAMIREZ CARRAZANA Robeisy Eloy
OÑATE LOUIT Ivan
OLIVA GENER Luis
VEITIA SOTO Yosbany
VITORI Oslay
NAVARRO Liban
ECHAVARRIA CREACH Yunier SERQUEFF Lazaro
CUBA DOMADORES SQUAD WELTER
MIDDLE
LIGHT HEAVY
HEAVY
SUPER HEAVY
IGLESIAS SOTOLONGO Rosniel
BENCOMO Osnay
CORREA Emilio
SANCHEZ Frank
TOIRAC ORTEGA Yoandy
BANTEUR SUAREZ Carlos D.
KINDELAN Yaikel
REYES PLA Emmanuel
CHAPOTIN Jose
MACEO Yoandris
DESPAIGNE Arisnoidis
TERRERO Eldrys
LA CRUZ PERAZA Julio Cesar
SAVON COTILLA Erislandy
LARDUET GOMEZ Jose A.
LABAÑINO Yoelkis
LOPEZ Arlen
MOREJON Anyelo
PEROT JUSTIZ Leinier Eunice
FABRE Yosbel
LUIS NICOLAS Ramon
DESPAIGNE GALVEZ Yaciel
WSB YEARBOOK : CUBA DOMADORES – 59
HUSSARS POLAND GROUP B After making the playoffs in their debut season, Hussars Poland will be disappointed with their Season IV journey, which resulted in a bottom placed finish in Group B, with just one victory in ten matches. The talk before the season started was about just how difficult the group would be for all concerned, and Hussars Poland experienced that difficulty more than most, as their small squad was stretched to the limits when they competed against many of the best boxers in the world on a regular basis. It took Poland five fixtures to claim just one match victory, as they lost their first four fixtures 5-0. The highlight of their season was undoubtedly a memorable 3-2 home win over Mexico Guerreros, although they also pushed local rivals Russian Boxing Team very close at home as well.
Sergiy Werwejko was perhaps Poland’s most impressive boxer of the season, picking up two of his teams seven wins, including a ferocious TKO win over Astana Arlan’s Armen Simonian. HEAD COACH : Hubert Migaczew Hubert Migaczew who was born in 1979 and is still relatively young for a Head Coach. His drive is what sets him apart. For many years he represented the boxing club WKS Gwardia Warszawa in Poland. He fought more than 100 fights in his career and knows the game inside out. In 1997 he won the Polish Cup to add that all important piece of silverware to his impressive CV. In June 2012, the Polish Association of Boxing assigned Migaczew as a National Team Head Coach with his main task being to prepare boxers for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. He said that WSB was the perfect platform for his boxers to learn against the best.
WSB YEARBOOK : HUSSARS POLAND – 61
HUSSARS POLAND GROUP B HUSSARDS POLAND SQUAD LIGHT FLY
FLY
BANTAM
LIGHT
LIGHT WELTER
JAGODZINSKI Dawid
KOCH Mariusz
KOZLOWSKI Sylwester
MICHELUS Dawid
KIWIOR Damian LEGOWSKI Kazimierz
LUBOMSKI Arkadiusz
KOZLOWSKI Grzegorz
PIETRUCZUK Marek
POLSKI Mateusz
HUSSARDS POLAND SQUAD WELTER
MIDDLE
LIGHT HEAVY
HEAVY
SUPER HEAVY
SIMONYAN Zhora
JABLONSKI Tomasz
PODLUCKI Piotr
ZYGMUNT Lukasz
TOBOREK Arkadiusz
ZAKRZEWSKI Ireneusz
GREDKE Piotr
ZYCINSKI Kasjusz
MALUJDA Mateusz
WERWEJKO Sergiej
STEPIEN Pawel
KOWALSKI Tomasz
PERCCZYNSKI Rafal
WSB YEARBOOK : HUSSARS POLAND – 63
MEXICO GUERREROS GROUP B Mexico Guerreros are the product of over one hundred years of boxing prowess, but their Season IV journey failed to live up to the pedigree, as they finished second bottom of Group B, winning just two of ten matches. Mexico won only one match in their first three fixtures, but bounced back to rout Hussars Poland 5-0 in week four. Their biggest highlight of the season was a hard fought 3-2 home victory over eventual runners up Azerbaijan Baku Fires, and Mexico will be looking for more results like that next season.
Their main issue was losing heavily at the start of the season. Four of their first five fixtures were lost by three legs or more, and while they achieved relatively respectful results towards the end of the season, there is room for improvement in Season V. Mexico Guerreros catalyst was definitely Elias Emigdio who has now joined AIBA Pro Boxing. He signed off from WSB with another great season, marked by a TKO win over Astana Arlans’ Miras Zhakupov. HEAD COACH : Francisco Bonilla Francisco Bonilla won the first Olympic medal for Mexico since 1988 with Christian Bejarano at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games (bronze). His next achievements were a Pan American Games gold medal with Carlos Cuadras in Rio de Janeiro in 2007 and AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships titles with Oscar Valdez (57 kg) and Oscar Molina (69 kg) in Guadalajara in 2008. Bonilla also qualified three boxers for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games : Oscar Valdez (54 kg), Arturo Santos (57 kg) and Francisco Vargas (60 kg). In 2009, he won a bronze medal for Mexico again with Oscar Valdez (57 kg) at the AIBA World Boxing Championships in Milan. He has been the Head Coach of the national team for eight years before joining the Mexican WSB Franchise. Two of his boxers qualified for last season’s WSB Individual Championships with Juan Romero claiming the Lightweight title.
WSB YEARBOOK : MEXICO GUERREROS – 65
MEXICO GUERREROS GROUP B MEXICO GUERREROS SQUAD LIGHT FLY
FLY
BANTAM
LIGHT
LIGHT WELTER
ZALETA REYES Jose
HUITZIL Orlando
ALAMEDA LOPEZ Aaron
CURIEL Raul
LADJALI Abdel-Malik Laid
VELAZQUEZ Joselito
EMIGDIO ABARCA Elias
CHIRINO SANCHEZ Sergio
ALVAREZ DIAZ Fernando
HIDALGO ESTRADA Ramon Isaias
GONZALEZ MORALES Brian Alexis
DELGADO GARZA Lindolfo
BURGOS FERRER Jose Alejandro
ORTIZ MARCANO Jantony
FLORES NORBERTO Luis Daniel
ROMERO MARIN Juan Pablo
BIELMA Christian SANCHEZ Carlos
MEXICO GUERREROS SQUAD WELTER
MIDDLE
LIGHT HEAVY
HEAVY
SUPER HEAVY
HIELD Carl
MERCADO Juan Antonio
GOMEZ MENESES Miguel Angel
DEMAJ Christian
HIRACHETA MARTINEZ Juan Isidro
CABRERA VERGARA Marvin
MORENO Diego de Jesus
VILLEGAS Juan Abraham
COUPE Djabril
BISBAL Gerardo Miguel
CIOBANU Petru
APOCHI Efetobor
RAHIMOV Renat
RODRIGUEZ Misael
REYES Hector
OLVERA Brandon
CORDOVA BRITO Jorge Alberto
YULDASHEV Boburbek SAAVEDRA PINTO Enry Jose
WSB YEARBOOK : MEXICO GUERREROS – 67
RUSSIAN BOXING TEAM GROUP B One of the strongest boxing nations today, the Russian Boxing Team has had a storied WSB history, without ever making it to the very top of the competition. Season IV was another case of ‘nearly’, as Russia made the semifinals before being eliminated by overall Champions Cuba Domadores. Russia won six of their ten Regular Season matches, and entered in history as the first team to successfully defeat Cuba in the competition in the last week of the group stages. This was perhaps one of the most significant results of the entire season, as it gave Russia confidence, and gave Cuba even more desire to succeed. Qualifying third in Group B resulted in a local quarterfinal against Ukraine Otamans, and Russia won both legs 4-1 to reach their second semi-final in three seasons. The marauding Cuba Domadores were the opponents to reach the final, and though the Russian Boxing Team managed a creditable 3-2 lo ss at home, they were whitewashed in Havana. Russia has always been a threat in WSB, and can beat any team at any time home or away. Number two ranked Bantamweight Vladimir Nikitin won all four of his WSB contests in Season IV, while Artem Chebotarev marked himself out as a prospect with a 3-0 record over the course of the competition, including two wins over top ten opponents.
HEAD COACH : Eduard Kravtsov Eduard Kravtsov, a keen studier of the sport, is one of the main reasons why the Russian team has been so successful in WSB. Constructing fantastic training schedules, his attention to detail and great planning has established his team as a major force in the competition. Great at nurturing talent, his rapport with the boxers is the envy of many. With Kravtsov at the helm, the team is in good hands and consistently influence the destination of the WSB Title.
WSB YEARBOOK : RUSSIAN BOXING TEAM – 69
RUSSIAN BOXING TEAM GROUP B RUSSIAN BOXING TEAM SQUAD LIGHT FLY
FLY
BANTAM
LIGHT
LIGHT WELTER
AYRAPETYAN David
ALOIAN Misha
ABZALIMOV Eduard
ABDURASHIDOV Adlan
ANANYAN Petros
CHEBOCHAKOV Valentin
VETKIN Vasilii
SHEKHOV Mukhammad
BOGOMAZOV Konstantin
BUTAEV Radzhab
GALANOV Belik
TASHKARAKOV Viacheslav
NIKITIN Vladimir
SHIPUNOV Viacheslav
DADASHEV Maxim
NAZIROV Bakhtovar
DALKHAEV Vislan
OGANISSIAN Ovik
FEDORCHENKO Nikita
EGOROV Vasilii
VODOPIANOV Sergey
SAGALUEV Bator
DUNAITSEV Vitaliy
POLYANSKIY Dmitry KAMILOV Ruslan
ZAKARYAN Armen
LIZUNENKO Grigorii
RUSSIAN BOXING TEAM SQUAD WELTER
MIDDLE
LIGHT HEAVY
HEAVY
SUPER HEAVY
BESPUTIN Alexander
CHEBOTAREV Artem
BIVOL Dmitry
KALCHUGIN Sergey
BABANIN Maxim
IVANOV Nikita
EGOROV Alexey
OMAROV Magomed
YAKUSHEV Eduard
KUDUKHOV Vitaly
KUZMIN Sergey
NIKITAEV Pavel
VERIASOV Ivan
ZAITSEV Dmitriy
BISBAL Gasan
FEDIURIN Vladislav
EDISULTANOV Islam
KOPYAKOV Maxim
GAZIZOV Maxim
IVANOV Alexander
KHAMUKOV Petr
GADZHIEV Alim
EFREMENKO Andrey
ZAMKOVOI Andrei
GAZALIEV Gamzat
SOBYLINSKII Sergei
KHOTYANTSEV Aleksandr SHISHKIN Vladimir
TISHCENKO Evgeny
SHVED Danil
WSB YEARBOOK : RUSSIAN BOXING TEAM – 71
REGULAR SEASON YEARBOOK – SEASON IV, 2013-2014
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON IV, 2013-2014 – REGULAR SEASON – 73
REGULAR SEASON RESULTS – GROUP A WEEK
1
2
3
4
5
DATE
HOME
SCORE
AWAY
15.11.2013
Argentina
1–4
Italy
16.11.2013
Ukraine
4–1
USA
16.11.2013
Germany
5–0
22.11.2013
USA
08.03.2014
WEEK
DATE
HOME
SCORE
AWAY
17.01.2014
USA
2–3
Ukraine
18.01.2014
Algeria
4–1
Germany
Algeria
18.01.2014
Italy
4–1
Argentina
3–2
Argentina
31.01.2014
Argentina
1–4
USA
Germany
0–5
Ukraine
01.02.2014
Italy
5–0
Algeria
12.03.2014
Algeria
2–3
Italy
14.02.2014
Ukraine
4–1
Germany
06.12.2013
Ukraine
5–0
Argentina
07.02.2014
Germany
2–3
Italy
07.12.2013
Algeria
3–2
USA
07.02.2014
USA
4–1
Algeria
07.12.2013
Italy
4–1
Germany
08.02.2014
Argentina
3–2
Ukraine
13.12.2013
Ukraine
4–1
Italy
21.02.2014
Algeria
3–2
Argentina
13.12.2013
Argentina
4–1
Algeria
21.02.2014
USA
3–2
Germany
15.02.2014
Germany
5–0
USA
22.02.2014
Italy
5–0
Ukraine
10.01.2014
Germany
5–0
Argentina
cancelled
Ukraine
5–0
Algeria
10.01.2014
USA
2–3
Italy
01.03.2014
Italy
3–2
USA
11.01.2014
Algeria
1–4
Ukraine
01.03.2014
Argentina
3–2
Germany
6
7
8
9
10
REGULAR SEASON RESULTS – GROUP B WEEK
1
2
3
4
5
DATE
HOME
SCORE
AWAY
15.11.2013
Kazakhstan
4–1
Azerbaijan
15.11.2013
Mexico
0–5
Cuba
16.11.2013
Russia
5–0
22.11.2013
Poland
23.11.2013
WEEK
DATE
HOME
SCORE
AWAY
17.01.2014
Cuba
5–0
Mexico
18.01.2014
Azerbaijan
4–1
Kazakhstan
Poland
18.01.2014
Poland
2–3
Russia
0–5
Cuba
31.01.2014
Cuba
5–0
Poland
Russia
2–3
Kazakhstan
31.01.2014
Mexico
3–2
Azerbaijan
23.11.2013
Azerbaijan
5–0
Mexico
01.02.2014
Kazakhstan
5–0
Russia
06.12.2013
Kazakhstan
4–1
Mexico
07.02.2014
Mexico
2–3
Kazakhstan
06.12.2013
Poland
0–5
Azerbaijan
08.02.2014
Azerbaijan
5–0
Poland
06.12.2013
Cuba
5–0
Russia
12.03.2014
Russia
3–2
Cuba
13.12.2013
Kazakhstan
2–3
Cuba
21.02.2014
Poland
3–2
Mexico
13.12.2013
Mexico
5–0
Poland
21.02.2014
Cuba
5–0
Kazakhstan
14.12.2013
Russia
5–0
Azerbaijan
22.02.2014
Azerbaijan
3–2
Russia
10.01.2014
Poland
1–4
Kazakhstan
28.02.2014
Cuba
3–2
Azerbaijan
11.01.2014
Azerbaijan
2–3
Cuba
28.02.2014
Mexico
2–3
Russia
11.01.2014
Russia
5–0
Mexico
01.03.2014
Kazakhstan
4–1
Poland
6
7
8
9
10
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON IV, 2013-2014 – RESULTS – 75
REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS – GROUP A MATCHES RANK
TEAM
BOUTS
POINTS TOTAL
WINS
LOSSES
TOTAL
WINS
LOSSES
TD
WO
1
Dolce & Gabbana Italia Thunder
26
10
9
1
50
35
15
0
1
2
Ukraine Otamans
25
10
8
2
50
36
14
0
0
3
German Eagles
12
10
3
7
50
24
26
0
0
4
USA Knockouts
11
10
4
6
50
23
27
0
5
5
Argentina Condors
9
10
3
7
50
17
33
0
2
6
Algeria Desert Hawks
8
10
3
7
50
15
35
0
2
REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS – GROUP B MATCHES RANK
TEAM
BOUTS
POINTS TOTAL
WINS
LOSSES
TOTAL
WINS
LOSSES
TD
WO
1
Cuba Domadores
28
10
9
1
50
41
9
0
0
2
Astana Arlans Kazakhstan
22
10
7
3
50
30
20
0
0
3
Russian Boxing Team
20
10
6
4
50
28
22
0
0
4
Azerbaijan Baku Fires
18
10
5
5
50
29
21
0
0
5
Mexico Guerreros
7
10
2
8
50
15
35
0
2
6
Hussars Poland
4
10
1
9
50
7
43
0
0
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON IV, 2013-2014 – STANDINGS – 77
QUARTER-FINALS YEARBOOK – SEASON IV, 2013-2014
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON IV, 2013-2014 – QUARTER-FINALS – 79
QUARTER-FINALS 1ST LEG Azerbaijan Baku Fires 5-0 Italia Thunder
Team Germany 2-3 Astana Arlans Kazakhstan
The quarter final stage couldn’t have started any better for the battle-savvy Baku Fires as they picked apart Italia Thunder to chalk up a perfect 5-0 score. The match was a shutout and left the Italians needing an identical reverse in the second leg to stand any chance of qualifying.
Defending champions Astana Arlans went to Germany looking to defend their WSB crown against a gritty and determined German team and began brightly with Heavyweight Vasilii Levit, the WSB no.2 ranked boxer, proving just why he is so highly rated in the division by overwhelming Artur Mann with his sheer volume of punches.
Heavyweight (91kg) hardman Clemente Russo was stopped at 2 :36 in the first round by a sickening body shot from Abdulkadir Abdullayev to hand the Fires a stunning shock win and Russo his first stoppage loss. Despite being rocked early on against French pro Khedafi Djekhir, Bantamweight (56kg) Magomed Gubanov regained his senses and steered himself towards the finish and another win before Middleweight (75kg) Khaybula Musalov and Light Welterweight (64kg) Heybatulla Hajialiyev rounded off the evening with comfortable victories to make it five for the Fires.
At Light Welterweight, German star Artem Harutyunyan put on an excellent display to hand Askhat Ualikhanov his first ever WSB loss. The turning point came with the score at 2-1 in favor of the home side when Kazakhstan released their wildcard, Sergiy Derevyachenko and the WSB’s most successful boxer dominated the ultimately inexperienced Denis Radovan to recapture momentum for the Kazakhs. Temirtas Zhussupov notched up a win at Light Flyweight (46-49kg) to shade the contest for the Arlans to take a victory back to Alamty despite a determined display from Irishman Michael Conlan for Germany at Bantamweight.
Russian Boxing Team 4-1 Ukraine Otamans
Cuba Domadores 5-0 USA Knockouts
The Russian Boxing Team dealt a huge blow to Season III runners-up Ukraine Otamans’ hopes of reaching a second successive semi-final with a scintillating win on home turf at Moscow Arena. In an absorbing Bantamweight (56kg) bout that saw a wonderful clash of styles, Vladimir Nikitin dominated on the front foot with his famously strong right hand to tame the attacks of Otamans southpaw Mykola Butsenko.
The awe-inspiring Domadores produced another dazzling display of boxing with home advantage in Havana at capacity-packed Ciudad Deportiva. The event amazingly marked the first time a sports event has ever been filmed in High Definition in Cuba.
Light Welterweight Radzhab Butaev upset London 2012 Olympic silver medalist Denys Berinchyk to notch up his first ever win and Artem Chebotarev did enough against Middleweight counterpart Dmytro Mytrofanov before Heavyweight Tischenko rounded off an emphatic win for the home side. Only a solitary shock loss for David Aryapetyan preventing a perfect scoreline to take to Ukraine.
Cuba’s 2012 Olympic Light Welterweight (64kg) gold medalist Roniel Iglesias and double world champion, Lightweight (60kg) Lazaro Alvarez, put on tremendous winning performances in front of the 16,000 spectators against Venezuelans Gabriel Maestre and nimble-footed newcomer Luis Arcon Diaz respectively, to send the crowd into raptures. Super Heavyweight (91+kg) Yoandi Toirac and Light Heavy Emilio Correa won their bouts with equal aplomb to cement the raucous rapport the Cuban boxers enjoy with their adoring fans and a stunning victory on the night. Flyweight (52kg) Gerardo Cervantes received a walkover in his fight after Knockuts boxer Eros Correa failed to make the weight.
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON IV, 2013-2014 – QUARTER-FINALS 1ST LEG – 81
QUARTER-FINALS 2ND LEG Ukraine Otamans 1-4 Russian Boxing Team
Astana Arlans Kazakhstan 5-0 Team Germany
Russia became the first franchise to advance to the semiFinals, beating neighbors Ukraine Otamans by the same 4-1 scoreline as in the first leg.
Astana Arlans had the upper hand going into their second leg at The Almaty Sport Palace, a hotbed of boxing history and a fortress that has hosted some of the sport’s biggest nights in the Kazakh capital.
Lightweight Dmitry Polyanskiy worked when it mattered and masterfully moved around the ring, cunningly picking his moments to strike against Otamans’ Pavlo Ishchenko to close out a win. The tie was sealed when big-punching Alexander Besputin nicked a victory versus Taras Golovaschenko, who to his credit managed to keep the raging Russian at bay for most of the fight, but it was ultimately not enough. At Light Heavyweight, Oleksandr Ganzulia faded badly in the final round as he surrendered to Eduard Yakushev and Maxim Babanin at heavyweight dropped and stopped Iegor Plevako before Azat Usenaliev gave the Otamans a consolation at Flyweight. Both sides displayed unbelievable sportsmanship, leading AIBA president Dr Ching-Kuo Wu to label the spectacle “the perfect example of peace through sport.”
Heavyweight home hero Ruslan Myrsatayev entered the ring to rapturous applause to face fearsome Erik Pfeifer. However, there was no joy for Pfeifer, with Myrsatayev overpowering him to chalk up a win for the Arlans. At Lightweight, brilliant Samat Bashenov battled awkward Artur Bril who, despite managing to bamboozle his Arlans opponent for the majority, lost a close decision. A scrappy affair at Welterweight saw Meirim Nursultanov grind out a win over Vyacheslav Kerber and Hrvoje Sep wore down Serge Michel to keep up the winning streak before Flyweight Miras Zhakupov outgunned German Ronny Beblik to send Kazakhstan cruising into the semiFinals.
Italia Thunder 4-1 Azerbaijan Baku Fires
USA Knockouts 2-3 Cuba Domadores
Italia Thunder began positively in their bid to overturn a huge first leg deficit with Welsh wonderkid Andrew Selby winning at Flyweight but the result of the Super Heavyweight match between Mihai Nistor and Azeri Arslanbek Makhmudov ultimately decided the overall outcome.
After being mauled 0-5 in Havana, it was back to New Hampshire for the USA Knockouts to see if they could salvage anything from their tie with the debuting Cuba Domadores.
Nistor came bounding out of the blocks at Makhmudov, who was lucky to make it out of the first. However, after soaking up sustained pressure for a hefty portion of the fight, Makhmudov produced the unthinkable just 25 seconds from the final bell, tagging the rallying Romanian and sending him crashing to the canvas and the Italians crashing out of the tournament. Welterweight Vincenzo Mangiacapre and Lightweight Domenico Valentino both won their bouts and Algerian Abdelhafid Benchabla bested Teymur Mammadov at Light Heavyweight to preserve the Italian’s unbeaten home record since the inception of WSB but it was the Azeri’s who booked their semi-final place.
However, all hopes were dashed in the opening stanza as world number one Light Fflyweight Yosvany Veitia won a split decision versus 19-year-old Knockouts star Anthony Chacon putting the bout beyond reach. Yasnier Toledo won a more dominant display against Carlos Adames before Middleweight Olympian Marlo Delgado pulled one back for the USA team with a unanimous decision against Yaciel Despaigne. Both teams were awarded walk-overs at Bantamweight (56kg) for USA Knockouts’ Ramon Cardenas Jr. and at Heavyweight (91kg) for Cuba Domadores’ Erislandy Savon as the Cubans became the last of the teams to qualify for the semis.
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON IV, 2013-2014 – QUARTER-FINALS 2ND LEG – 83
SEMI-FINALS
YEARBOOK – SEASON IV, 2013-2014
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON IV, 2013-2014 – SEMI-FINALS – 85
SEMI-FINALS 1ST LEG Russian Boxing Team 2-3 Cuba Domadores It was not a night for the meek in Moscow as all eyes focused on the first leg of the first semi-final in the Moscow Arena where the Russian Boxing Team played host to Cuba Domadores. Flashy WSB No.1 Yosvany Veitia kicked off the night against Belik Galanov. Veitia’s precocious talent is unequivocal but against Galanov his bravado tiptoed into the superfluous which attracted some negativity from those at ringside. However, the undefeated youngster did enough to take his WSB tally to seven straight wins by shutting out the Russian in their Light Flyweight (52kg) matchup. A less attractive affair at Bantamweight saw both Vladimir Nikitin and debutant Norlan Yera suffer nasty cuts over their left eyes. Nikitin finally prevailed over the Cuban newcomer to draw level with the Domadores on the night.
At Light Welterweight another Cuban No.1, Yasnier Toledo, faced off against 2008 AIBA Youth World Championship silver medalist Maxim Dadashev. The grace and movement of Toledo is unrivaled in the ring and on the night his skill and flair proved too much for the game Dadashev and the Domadores were back in front. Russian Artem Chebotarev then controlled his bout with his thunderous right hand against relative unknown Arlen Lopez to close out the Cuban. That meant undefeated Heavyweights Erislandy Savon and Eugeniy Tischenko would decide the match and the suave Savon handled the pressure of the bout with panache, claiming a unanimous decision giving Domadores a vital advantage to take back to Havana.
Astana Arlans Kazakhstan 3-2 Azerbaijan Baku Fires The two boxing neighbors who had built up an uncanny rapport with each other over WSB Season IV treated fans to a true feast of boxing flair at the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace in Almaty. Despite sustaining a bad cut in round three, Temirtas Zhussupov started the night off in style for Kazakhstan at Light Flyweight (49kg) against Azeri Khamza Nametov in a fast paced bout. Then, Season II individual Bantamweight champion Gairbek Germakhanov levelled up the scores by battling to a split decision win against Arlans’ Madi Shulakov. WSB great Sergiy Derevyanchenko stopped Azerbaijan’s hard-hitting Soltan Migitinov with the Fires fighter being pulled out by his corner after a Derevyanchenko barrage late in the third. The result represented the only stoppage of the night. The turning point came in a tactical, cagey contest at Light Welterweight (64kg) where Gaybatulla Gadzhialiyev took on Askhat Ualikhanov, ranked number three and four respectively, that would have gifted momentum to the winner. Gadzhialiyev sealed a close split decision. The last bout of the evening saw a Heavyweight clash between Vasilii Levit and Azeri powerhouse Abdulkadir Abdullayev. Levit controlled the fight to bring his impressive record in the WSB this season to a perfect 6-0. The defending champions recorded a slight 3-2 win in their own back yard to give them a narrow advantage to take on the road in the second leg.
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON IV, 2013-2014 – SEMI-FINALS 1ST LEG – 87
SEMI-FINALS 2ND LEG Cuba Domadores 5-0 Russian Boxing Team The Ciudad Deportiva in Havana played host to a raucous affair in which Cuba Domadores looked to capitalize on an away win with the help of home advantage. Flyweight Leodan Nunez kicked the night off against foe Russian Ovik Ogannisian. In an intense bout, Nunez this time proved too classy and took the fight on all three scorecards. Domadores’ two-time world champion and No.1 ranked WSB Lightweight Lazaro Alvarez was involved in a scorching fight against Konstantin Bogomazov. The Russian rose from a first round knockdown to battle back and remain competitive throughout the bout but ultimately dropped a unanimous decision in what was the fight of the night. Due to the 3-2 Domadores win in Moscow and a 2-0 lead on the night, the third match between Andrei Zamkovoy
and Roniel Iglesias Sotolongo was crucial as the Cuban could clinch a final place for his side with a win. The two London 2012 medalists went at it from the bell. Zamkovoy posed a constant threat with his deadly left hand but Iglesias provided the more eye-catching work to get the nod and the vital victory to swing open the final door for the Cuba Domadores. The show was closed out by another Cuban double world champ, Julio Cesar La Cruz, who won every round in a dominant display against Aleksander Khotyantsev at Light Heavyweight before Heavyweights Jose Angel Larduet and Russia’s Magomed Omarov clashed with Larduet defeating the debutant and handing the Cuban’s a 5-0 whitewash win to catapult them into the WSB Final ring.
Azerbaijan Baku Fires 4-1 Astana Arlans Kazakhstan The Olympic Complex in Guba was the scene for the return leg of the precariously balanced semi-final between Azerbaijan Baku Fires and Astana Arlans Kazakhstan. Fires’ Elvin Mamishzada opened the evening’s action with a narrow but unanimous win against Iliyas Suleimenov, a repeat of the result from their match in week six. Albert Selimov won his bout against Arlans’ Samat Bashenov, who unfortunately suffered an injury in the second round of their Lightweight contest. As Selimov had won the opening round on the scorecards, he was awarded the fight. Baku Fires’ Yauheni Ramashkevich, an underdog going into his fight with Manat Omerzakov, handed the Arlans man his first defeat in WSB making it 3-0 on the night
for his team who had by that point thoroughly seized momentum. Azerbaijan could have wrapped up victory in the fourth bout but Hrvoje Sep pulled one back for the Arlans against Mikhail Dauhaliavets to give a faint hope of reaching the Finals. A point deduction in the last round for the Fires man ultimately condemned him to defeat with Sep taking a close split decision win. Kazakhstan Super Heavyweight Filip Hrgovic’s huge shoulders carried the weight of his team’s hopes going into his fight with Haji Murtuzaliyev, knowing only a win would do. It was not to be as Murtuzaliyev won the bout on a unanimous decision for the Baku Fires to reach their first ever WSB final at the expense of the defending champions 4-1 on the night.
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON IV, 2013-2014 – SEMI-FINALS 2ND LEG – 89
FINALS
YEARBOOK – SEASON IV, 2013-2014
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON IV, 2013-2014 – FINALS – 91
FINALS HOST CITY – BAKU Baku, the host city of the WSB Season IV final, is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan as well as the largest city in the Caucasus region. Located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, which projects into the Caspian Sea, this magnificent city is located 28m (92 ft) below sea level, making it the lowest lying national capital in the world. Baku is divided into eleven administrative districts or raions and 48 townships. Among these are the townships on islands in the Baku Bay and the town of Oil Rocks built on stilts in the Caspian Sea, 60 km (37 mi) away from Baku. The current population stands at just over 2.1 million people and around 25 percent of all Azerbaijanis live in Baku’s metropolitan area. Draped in history, the city possesses an almost palpable mystique and the beauty of Baku is cradled by fervent historical and architectural features, which are integral parts of its identity. From its beginnings as a pre-historic settlement to the present day, the city has seen the rise and fall of kingdoms from the Shirvanshahs and the Safavid era, through the Russian conquest to the fall of the Soviet Union and its influence to the present day, Baku’s history has been intertwined with important political and cultural events. Contributing to the dynamic growth of the city was the discovery of rich oil resources in the 19th century. The first oil well in the city was built in 1846 and by the early 20th century, almost half the world production was being extracted from Baku, attracting wealthy investors from abroad and causing its population to develop at a faster rate than Paris, London and New York. Baku’s Inner City, or Old City, houses the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, built by Ibrahim I of Shirvan in the 15th
century upon relocation of Azerbaijan’s capital from Shemakh to Baku as a result of a devastating earthquake. Inside, the remains of the palace bathhouse, mosque and mausoleum as well as the Divankhana stone pavilion are today all popular attractions. Also located in Baku’s Inner City is The Maiden Tower, a 12th century stone tower which houses a water well measuring 97ft in height. Known colloquially as Giz Galasi, it stands as Baku’s most recognizable landmark. The cylindrical eight story structure was built next to a natural oil well and encapsulates Arabic, Persian and Ottoman design influences and is believed to be an ancient watchtower. In 2000, the Maiden Tower, along with the Palace of Shirvanshahs and Baku’s Inner City were all inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of their cultural and aesthetic significance.
Today, Baku is not shy of the neon lights and is ranked amongst the best places in the world to enjoy an evening out. Fountains Square in downtown Baku offers the best in Eastern eateries for a luxury taste of Azerbaijani cuisine and has become a popular destination for diners and revellers alike. Baku’s ties to sport are extremely strong. The inaugural European Games will be hosted at the Baku Olympic Stadium in 2015 and the impressive 7,800 capacity Heydar Aliyev Sports and Exhibition Complex was the scene for the 2011 AIBA World Boxing Championships. A city with such rich culture, style and an insatiable appetite for sport, Baku is the perfect place to stage any sporting event and a worthy host of the World Series of Boxing Season IV Final.
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON IV, 2013-2014 – FINALS HOST CITY – 93
FINALS VENUE – SARHADCHI OLYMPIC SPORT COMPLEX Located 28 meters below sea level in the Khatai District in the extreme east of Baku, the Sarhadchi Olympic Sport Complex was opened on August 31, 2009 by the President of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Mr Ilham Aliyev, who also serves as head of the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan. The fantastic multi-purpose arena surrounds a 37,300sq metre area with a capacity of 2,200 and is run by the Azerbaijan Republic State Border Services (ARSBS). Among its attractions is the famed Walled City, which represents the historical core of Baku, and comprises the Old City of the Azerbaijani capital.
The complex has received the support of the Azerbaijan Cycling Federation and has consequently started running the country’s cycling section since August 2013, where around 20 young cyclists train. It is one of the most beautiful and modern sports facilities in the city which can accommodate competitions in more than 32 different sports. It has so far held a number of World and European championships in taekwondo, basketball, gymnastics, volleyball, wrestling and futsal in addition to boxing.
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON IV, 2013-2014 – FINALS VENUE – 95
FINALISTS AZERBAIJAN BAKU FIRES Azerbaijan Baku fires have established themselves as the well-schooled veterans of WSB. Displaying unmistakably Azeri guile, the Fires have been a stern test for anybody they have faced and have proved time and again that they belong at the pinnacle of boxing competition. Group A toppers and beaten semi-finalists in Season III, Baku fires have given us some of the most adrenalineinducing nights in WSB. Season IV was no exception, as they fought tooth and nail to grab the crown in front of home fans who rightfully lauded their valiant efforts as they came excruciatingly close to winning their first World Series of Boxing title.
STAR BOXERS Albert SELIMOV
Gaybatulla GADZHIALIYEV
Lightweight (60kg) Selimov is famous for his rivalry with Vasyl Lomachenko and remains the only man to beat the Ukrainian superstar in AOB competition, doing so in the 2007 AIBA World Boxing Championships final. Selimov also won the gold medal at the European Boxing Championships in 2006 and 2010 and boasts an unbeaten record in the Season IV regular season with three wins from three. The Beijing 2008 Olympian brings a recognizably relaxed style to the ring, carrying his hands low in a southpaw stance, exposing his head and chin to lure an opponent in before attacking with neat counters.
London 2012 Olympian Gadzhiliyev is a fighter who performs exquisitely under pressure. The Baku native has performed solidly for his team throughout the regular season, winning two from three fights and was a revelation in the business end to the season, snatching momentum by a narrow margin for the Fires first in the Quarter-Final and again in the Finals, churning out a fantastic result against Cuba’s Yasnier Toledo to keep his side in the tie.
Arslanbek MAKHMUDOV
Elvin MAMISHZADA
The Super Heavyweights (91kg) are the Hollywood attraction of boxing and Arslanbek Makhmudov is Baku Fires’ danger man in the division. The 2010 World University champion rounded off Season IV ranked No.1 in the WSB rankings and extended his unbeaten record to 5-0 overall with stunning performances against Italia Thunder’s Mihai Nistor, whom he knocked out in the final seconds of their Quarter-Final match and controlled his final bout to prove he can box and bang. Makhmudov is a prized Azeri asset who stands as a beacon of boxing tradition each time he steps into the ring.
A silver and bronze medallist at the European Boxing Championships in 2010 and 2013, Elvin Mamishzada has been an integral part of the Azerbaijan set-up, producing wins when needed against top class opposition. The Azeri twice beat Iliyas Suleimenov, besting the Kazakh both in the regular season and in their Semi-Final bout and put on the fight of the night in the second leg of the Finals, sending his Cuban opponent crashing to the floor in the first round to reignite the Fires’ chances of Season IV success.
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON IV, 2013-2014 – FINALISTS – 97
FINALISTS CUBA DOMADORES For 50 years the island nation of Cuba had prohibited its athletes from participating in any other format than AOB style boxing. The news that a Cuban franchise would be involved in Season IV brought about immense intrigue as the tiny Caribbean country has produced some of the world’s brightest boxing talents. Legends such as Felix Savon, Teofilio Stevenson and Mario Kindelan have made sure Cuba has been synonymous with Olympic glory. Cut from a fine cloth of champions, the new generation are now tasked with carrying on that proud boxing legacy. The motto of Cuba reads “”Homeland or Death, we shall overcome !”. Here we present some of the standout performers from a team that overcame all to win the WSB Season IV title.
STAR BOXERS Yosvany VEITIA
Julio César LA CRUZ
Youngster Yosvany Veitia came into the Finals as the No.1 individual ranked Light Flyweight in the WSB after a solid campaign which saw him win all of his fights in the regular season and the play-offs. A win in the Finals meant that the 2013 World Boxing Championships bronze medalist racked up a total of eight straight victories in Season IV. The 49kg kingpin is a quicksilver master of evasion who strikes and slips away almost simultaneously and utilises every inch of the ring to fleet-foot his way out of danger, constantly making his opponent work and forcing him to miss.
A double world champion, who won back to back World Championships titles in 2011 and 2013, la Cruz’s record of international success speaks for itself. In WSB competition, the Cuban has won four from five bouts, and was unbeaten in two in the regular season. In the Finals, the Light-Heavyweight put in a key performance in the deciding match knowing that a win would give his side the Season IV title in their debut season while a loss would hand Azerbaijan the win. La Cruz heroically bested Baku Fires’ Mikhail Dauhaliavets to send the match to Tiebreaker.
Roniel IGLESIAS
Arisnoidys DESPAIGNE
In 2012 the southpaw reached the zenith of athletic competition by winning London Olympic Games gold medal to add to his 2009 World Championship title. In the WSB, Iglesias has proved to be invaluable, beating world class fighters in the play-offs such as Gabriel Maestre (USA Knockouts) and Russia’s Andrei Zamkovoy, the latter a victory that clinched Cuba’s place in the Finals where he won his match to end the season undefeated in five bouts. As a fighter he is a fine craftsman of the noble art, he has composure, skill and fighting spirit and is one of Cuba’s most reliable performers.
Cuba’s Erislandy Savon dominated the Heavyweight (91kg) division in Season IV, amassing a flawless 7-0 record, and was rarely even hit clean let alone troubled in the ring. As the nephew of the Cuban legend Felix Savon, he has the weight of his proud boxing nation on his shoulders every time he fights, but the pressure never got to him during his seven fights, three of which he won by stoppage. Perhaps his finest moment was his Finals win over Azerbaijan’s Abdulkadir Abdullayev, who famously became the first man to knock out Italian legend Clemente Russo in the quarter-finals. Aged just 24, he is very young for a Heavyweight, and he looks set to maintain his reputation as the best boxer in WSB for a very long time to come.
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON IV, 2013-2014 – FINALISTS – 99
FINALS : DAY 1 SAVON STUNS AS CUBA EDGE IN FRONT The first day of the Finals saw Cuba edge in front with a 3-2 win against a battling Baku Fires. On paper the match was packed with mouth-watering match-ups and the reality was no different as the cast of two world class sides took to the stage to perform. Virtuoso talent Yosvany Veitia kicked off the action as he squared off against Khamza Nametov at Light Flyweight (49kg). Nametov had already lost to his Cuban contemporary during the regular season and there was to be no retribution for the Azeri as they met again in the Finals. Working his way through an impressive array of skills, Veitia meandered through the gears and dazzled with dynamic reflexes to open an ever-widening chasm in points that justified his unbeaten 8-0 record and No.1 ranking. Veitia put on an exceptional performance, which is by now expected from the young stand-out and sealed a unanimous win and an ideal start for Cuba. Next up were Bantamweights (56kg) Magomed Gurbanov of the Baku Fires and Domadores’ Norlan Yera. Gurbanov held a big advantage in experience over his opponent, who was fighting in the Finals as a relative unknown and had lost his only previous WSB fight. After a strong start from the Azeri man, Yera battled back to win both the fourth and the fifth round but it was ultimately not enough to claw back the match as a slow start caught up with him with all three judges giving the decision to Gurbanov by identical 48-47 scores. The phrase ‘styles make fights’ couldn’t have been a more apt description of the bout of the day fought between Baku Fires fighter Khaybula Musalov and
Cuba’s Arlen Lopez. The sheer doggedness of Musalov met the ring-wary intelligence of Lopez, an archetypal trait of a Cuban Boxing School student. In a surprising twist it was Lopez, with his 0-1 record in WSB, who controlled the undefeated Musalov looking every bit an experienced WSB fighter. Using a stiff jab and slick defense, the Cuban piled up an unassailable points lead to take the match on all three scorecards. Despite the convincing nature of the win, the fight was thoroughly engrossing for five rounds and immense credit must be given to the tenacious Musalov who never stopped coming forward, even after a point deduction at the beginning of round four.
Abdullayev had made a name for himself in the playoffs by sensationally stopping Italian Clemente Russo in the first round of their Quarter-Final first leg tie and came into the bout buoyed by the confidence of knowing he could mix it with the very best. However Savon, who comes from a boxing family and is the nephew of Heavyweight great Felix, is an incredibly bright boxer who has exceptional ring intelligence. With a dominant display of punching power Savon put on a boxing clinic against his Azeri opponent, giving Abdullayev a standing eight count on the way to a unanimous decision win. Savon extended his season record to 7-0 and clinched the match for Cuba, giving them a narrow, hard fought 3-2 victory to take into the second day.
At Light Welterweight (64kg), Cuban 2012 Olympic Games bronze medalist Yasnier Toledo took on the only man to have beaten him in his six fights before the Finals, Gaybatulla Gadzhialiyev, in a narrow points win. The rematch was just as close with Gadzhialiyev winning the opening two rounds and Toledo rallying in the third and fourth to set up a tentative final round. In the end, Gadzhialiyev’s constant pressure caught the eye of the judges ahead of Toledo’s flurries to win again by a tight score by a split decision. The preceding matches’ results dictated that the final fight of the night would determine the victors of the first day of the Finals. And so, to play out the evening with everything still left to contest, Heavyweights (91kg) Erislandy Savon of Cuba Domadores and Abdulkadir Abdullayev of Azerbaijan Baku Fires met with the expectations of both their respective nations resting firmly on their ample shoulders.
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON IV, 2013-2014 – FINALS DAY 1 – 101
FINALS DAY 1 MATCH RESULTS FRIDAY 6 JUNE 2014
2
3 LIGHT FLYWEIGHT (46-49 KG)
NAMETOV Khamza
-
VEITIA Yosbany
WP
WP 0 :3 Judge 1
Judge 2
Judge 3
46 :49
46 :49
46 :49
BANTAMWEIGHT (56 KG) GURBANOV Magomed
WP
YERA Norlan
-
WP 3 :0 Judge 1
Judge 2
Judge 3
48 :47
48 :47
48 :47
MIDDLEWEIGHT (75 KG) MUSALOV Khaybula
-
LOPEZ Arlen
WP
WP 0 :3 Judge 1
Judge 2
Judge 3
44 :50
45 :49
45 :49
LIGHT WELTERWEIGHT (64 KG) GADZHIALIYEV G.
WP
TOLEDO Yasnier
-
WP 2 :1 Judge 1
Judge 2
Judge 3
48 :47
47 :48
48 :47
HEAVYWEIGHT (91 KG) ABDULLAYEV A.
-
SAVON Erislandy
WP
WP 0 :3 Judge 1
Judge 2
Judge 3
46 :49
46 :49
46 :49
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON IV, 2013-2014 – FINALS DAY 1 FULL RESULTS – 103
FINALS : DAY 2 DESPAIGNE SEALS DOMADORES WIN IN TIEBREAKER In what will go down as the most thrilling WSB Finals to date, Cuba Domadores won an unprecedented Team Champions title in their debut season after the heartstopping Finals culminated in a Tiebreaker win over Azerbaijan Baku Fires. The tiebreaker bout was needed to separate the two sides with the scores level 5-5 on aggregate after Day 2. Despite the best efforts of the Baku Fires side, raw Cuban boxing skill was enough to deal a sickening blow to the Azeris, who lost their first WSB Final. Although Cuba led from the first leg, momentum in Day 2 swung from one side to the other as both teams tussled for control. The Flyweights (52kg) began proceedings and Elvin Mamishzada established his power from the outset by landing a thudding right hand in the opening round that forced Cuban Gerardo Cervantes to take a standing eight count. The following rounds were just
as resounding and Mamishzada closed the show with a large points win to make sure the first victory of the night went to Baku Fires. Up next it was the turn of one of Cuba’s star performers to shine as reigning Olympic champion Roniel Iglesias, undefeated in the WSB, faced off against tournament veteran Mahamed Nurudzinau at Welterweight (69kg). The canny Nurudznau pushed the captivating Cuban hard using every trick in the book to unsettle his opponent but it was Iglesias who just about managed to distance himself from Nurudznau’s onrushes to take a unanimous decision win in a bout between two valiant warriors. With that, the Domadores had pegged one back and the scores were level at 1-1 by the time Baku Fires superstar Albert Selimov entered the ring against Cuban two-time World Champion Lazaro Alvarez at Lightweight (60kg).
The fight teetered on a knife edge as Selimov constantly peppered Alvarez with crisp shots but was flustered in response by furious combinations from his 22 year old opponent. In the end it was Selimov who gave the Fires the lead for the second time on the night and level the scores 4-4 on aggregate. The result was a split decision that mirrored the competitive nature of the bout and was largely correct as either fighter could have won. Arslanbek Makhmudov has carved out quite a reputation as a fearsome boxer-puncher in WSB and climbed through the ropes in Baku looking to extend the Azeri Day 2 lead. The Baku Fires hardman demonstrated just why he is undefeated in the tournament by out-classing Cuba’s 2009 World Boxing Championship bronze medalist José Larduet. The result took Makhmudov’s undefeated record to 5-0 for the season and meant Azerbaijan led the Finals on aggregate for the first time.
However, the question remained : could the Baku Fires hold onto their lead and capture the WSB title ? Julio Cesar La Cruz set out to prove the answer was no and the Cuban Light Heavyweight (81kg) did just that. With the entire island nation calling out for a hero who could force a Tiebreaker bout with victory in the final fight, La Cruz coolly answered that call in a display that showed no hint of nerves, befitting of the occasion. His opponent Mikhail Dauhaliavets constantly attacked but it was La Cruz, demonstrating genuine world class technique and composure, who won every round on the judges’ scorecards. With La Cruz’s win making it 5-5 after all bouts, the Season IV Champions title was to be decided by a tiebreaker. After 356 bouts contested by 308 boxers from 12 teams across five different continents, Season IV of the World Series of Boxing came down to a single one-off match between Arisnoidys Despaigne of Cuba Domadores, and Azerbaijan’s Yauheni Ramashkevich in the Welterweight (69kg) category. The tension was palpable at the Sarhadchi Olympic Sport Complex as the two boxers knew victory would mean winning the title for their respective countries. Boxing like men possessed, Ramashkevich was unrelenting in his attacks and Despaigne precise and devastating in his work. The two proud fighters gave every bit of themselves in pursuit of the win with tons of heart and sportsmanship. When the final bell rang, it was Despaigne who edged an enthralling contest to end the season unbeaten and deliver the title to Cuba, treading the final step of a journey that led Cuba becoming Champions in their debut season.
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON IV, 2013-2014 – FINALS DAY 2 – 105
FINALS DAY 2 MATCH RESULTS SATURDAY 7 JUNE 2014
3
3 FLYWEIGHT (52 KG)
MAMISHZADA Elvin
WP
CERVANTES Gerardo
-
WP 3 :0 Judge 1
Judge 2
Judge 3
50 :45
49 :45
50 :44
WELTERWEIGHT (69 KG) -
NURUDZINAU Mahamed
IGLESIAS SOTOLONGO R.
WP
WP 0 :3 Judge 1
Judge 2
Judge 3
46 :49
46 :49
47 :48
LIGHTWEIGHT (60 KG) SELIMOV Albert
WP
ALVAREZ Lazaro
-
WP 2 :1 Judge 1
Judge 2
Judge 3
48 :47
46 :49
48 :47
SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT (91+ KG) WP
MAKHMUDOV Arslanbek
LARDUET Jose Angel
-
WP 2 :1 Judge 1
Judge 2
Judge 3
49 :46
48 :47
47 :48
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (81 KG) DAUHALIAVETS M.
-
La CRUZ Julio Cesar
WP
WP 0 :3 Judge 1
Judge 2
Judge 3
45 :50
45 :50
45 :50
TIEBREAKER : WELTERWEIGHT (69 KG) -
RAMASHKEVICH Yauheni
DESPAIGNE Arisnoidys
WP
WP 0 :3 Judge 1
Judge 2
Judge 3
46 :49
46 :49
46 :49
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON IV, 2013-2014 – FINALS DAY 2 FULL RESULTS – 107
WSB CHAMPION CUBA DOMADORES
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON IV, 2013-2014 – WSB CHAMPION – 109
INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS YEARBOOK – SEASON IV, 2013-2014
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON IV, 2013-2014 – INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS – 111
LIGHT FLYWEIGHT 46-49KG WINS #
TEAM
BOXER
LOSSES
TOTAL BOUTS
TOTAL
HOME
AWAY
TOTAL
HOME
AWAY
TD
PTS
!
1
VEITIA Yosbany
7
7
3
4
0
0
0
0
1025
0
2
BERIKBAYEV Mardan
3
3
2
1
0
0
0
0
431
0
3
BARRIGA Mark Anthony
4
3
2
1
1
0
1
0
447
0
4
NAMETOV Khamza
5
3
2
1
2
1
1
0
563
0
5
ZHUSSUPOV Temirtas
3
2
1
1
1
0
1
0
438
0
6
FLISSI Mohamed
3
2
2
0
1
0
1
0
323
0
7
CHACON Anthony
3
2
2
0
1
1
0
0
316
0
8
BLANC Leandro
3
2
2
0
1
0
1
0
409
0
9
KUDRYAKOV Vadym
4
2
1
1
2
0
2
0
582
0
10
VELAZQUEZ A. Joselito
4
2
1
1
2
1
1
0
574
0
FLYWEIGHT 52KG WINS #
TEAM
BOXER
LOSSES
TOTAL BOUTS
TOTAL
HOME
AWAY
TOTAL
HOME
AWAY
TD
PTS
!
1
SELBY Andrew
3
3
2
1
0
0
0
0
448
0
2
ALOIAN Misha
3
3
2
1
0
0
0
0
446
0
3
EMIGDIO Elias
3
3
3
0
0
0
0
0
324
0
4
USENALIEV Azat
4
3
2
1
1
0
1
0
579
0
5
CERVANTES Gerardo
5
3
2
1
2
0
2
1
679
0
6
PICARDI Vincenzo
2
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
299
0
7
NUNEZ Leodan
2
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
295
0
8
TOUBA Hamza
3
2
2
0
1
0
1
0
435
0
9
MAMISHZADA Elvin
3
2
2
0
1
0
1
0
424
0
10
ZHAKUPOV Miras
3
2
2
0
1
0
1
0
399
0
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON IV, 2013-2014 – INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS – 113
BANTAMWEIGHT 56KG WINS #
TEAM
BOXER
LOSSES
TOTAL BOUTS
TOTAL
HOME
AWAY
TOTAL
HOME
AWAY
TD
PTS
!
1
MELIAN Alberto Ezequiel
5
5
3
2
0
0
0
0
738
1
2
NIKITIN Vladimir
4
4
4
0
0
0
0
0
593
0
3
FORESTAL Marcos
3
3
3
0
0
0
0
0
443
0
4
DJELKHIR Khedafi
4
3
0
3
1
0
1
0
431
0
5
RAMIREZ Robeisy
2
2
0
2
0
0
0
0
297
0
6
GERMAKHANOV Gairbek
3
2
0
2
1
0
1
0
433
0
7
TOITOV Meirbolat
3
2
1
1
1
0
1
0
434
0
8
FULTON Steven
3
2
1
1
1
1
0
0
429
0
9
BUTSENKO Mykola
4
2
0
2
2
1
1
0
578
0
10
GURBANOV Magomed
4
2
2
0
2
1
1
0
570
0
LIGHTWEIGHT 60KG WINS #
TEAM
BOXER
LOSSES
TOTAL BOUTS
TOTAL
HOME
AWAY
TOTAL
HOME
AWAY
TD
PTS
!
1
ALVAREZ Lazaro
6
6
3
3
0
0
0
0
888
0
2
CONCEICAO Robson
3
3
1
2
0
0
0
0
443
0
3
VALENTINO Domenico
3
3
3
0
0
0
0
0
439
0
4
SELIMOV Albert
4
3
3
0
1
0
1
0
587
1
5
POLYANSKIY Dmitriy
2
2
0
2
0
0
0
0
294
0
6
PRUDKYI Oleg
2
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
287
0
7
DELGADO GARZA Lindolfo
2
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
291
0
8
ARCON DIAZ Luis Martin
3
2
1
1
1
0
1
0
437
0
9
ISHCHENKO Pavlo
4
2
2
0
2
1
1
0
575
1
10
BASHENOV Samat
5
2
1
1
3
0
3
0
673
0
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON IV, 2013-2014 – INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS – 115
LIGHT WELTERWEIGHT 64KG WINS #
TEAM
BOXER
LOSSES
TOTAL BOUTS
TOTAL
HOME
AWAY
TOTAL
HOME
AWAY
TD
PTS
!
1
TOLEDO Yasnier
6
5
2
3
1
0
1
0
881
0
2
GADZHIALIYEV Gaybatulla
5
4
2
2
1
1
0
0
720
0
3
CHADI Abdelkader
3
3
2
1
0
0
0
0
440
1
4
UALIKHANOV Askhat
5
3
2
1
2
1
1
0
718
0
4
ADAMES Carlos
5
3
2
1
2
1
1
0
572
0
6
SOPA Kastriot
2
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
293
0
7
ZAKARYAN Armen
2
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
299
0
8
HARUTYUNYAN Artem
3
2
2
0
1
1
0
0
434
0
9
BIELMA Christian
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
2
0
10
OLIVA Luis
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
143
1
WELTERWEIGHT 69KG WINS #
TEAM
BOXER
LOSSES
TOTAL BOUTS
TOTAL
HOME
AWAY
TOTAL
HOME
AWAY
TD
PTS
!
1
IGLESIAS S. Roniel
4
4
4
0
0
0
0
0
599
0
2
DESPAIGNE Arisnoidys
3
3
0
3
0
0
0
0
446
0
3
BESPUTIN Alexander
3
3
1
2
0
0
0
0
442
0
4
MANGIACAPRE Vincenzo
4
3
3
0
1
0
1
0
581
0
5
NURSULTANOV Meirim
3
2
1
1
1
0
1
0
438
0
6
KERBER Vjaceslav
3
2
1
1
1
0
1
0
426
0
7
MAESTRE Gabriel
3
2
1
1
1
0
1
0
395
0
8
CABRERA Marvin
3
2
2
0
1
1
0
0
429
1
9
LAZAREV Denys
3
2
2
0
1
0
1
0
426
0
10
RAMASHKEVICH Yauheni
4
2
2
0
2
0
2
0
566
0
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON IV, 2013-2014 – INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS – 117
MIDDLEWEIGHT 75KG WINS #
TEAM
BOXER
DEREVYANCHENKO
LOSSES
TOTAL BOUTS
TOTAL
HOME
AWAY
TOTAL
HOME
AWAY
TD
PTS
!
1
Sergiy
5
5
4
1
0
0
0
0
750
0
2
CHEBOTAREV Artem
4
4
4
0
0
0
0
0
575
0
3
LUIS Ramon
5
4
3
1
1
0
1
0
737
0
4
MYTROFANOV Dmytro
4
3
1
2
1
0
1
0
572
0
5
MUSALOV Khaybula
2
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
292
0
6
RADOVAN Denis Robert
3
2
1
1
1
1
0
0
429
0
7
TAVARES Michel
3
2
1
1
1
0
1
0
423
1
8
JABLONSKI Tomasz
3
2
2
0
1
0
1
0
399
0
9
DELGADO Marlo
4
2
2
0
2
1
1
0
564
0
10
KHOSITASHVILI Jaba
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
150
0
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT 81KG WINS #
TEAM
BOXER
LOSSES
TOTAL BOUTS
TOTAL
HOME
AWAY
TOTAL
HOME
AWAY
TD
PTS
!
1
LA CRUZ Julio Cesar
5
4
2
2
1
0
1
0
735
1
2
BENCHABLA Abdelhafid
3
3
2
1
0
0
0
0
441
0
3
SEP Hrvoje
4
3
1
2
1
1
0
0
578
0
4
YAKUSHEV Eduard
2
2
0
2
0
0
0
0
290
0
5
MULLENBERG Peter
2
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
300
0
6
BIVOL Dmitriy
2
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
298
0
7
KASSEL Nabil
2
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
296
0
8
MICHEL Serge
3
2
1
1
1
0
1
0
436
0
9
TEZIEV Igor
3
2
1
1
1
0
1
0
425
0
10
GANZULIA Oleksandr
4
2
2
0
2
1
1
0
576
1
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON IV, 2013-2014 – INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS – 119
HEAVYWEIGHT 91KG WINS #
TEAM
BOXER
LOSSES
TOTAL BOUTS
TOTAL
HOME
AWAY
TOTAL
HOME
AWAY
TD
PTS
!
1
SAVON Erislandy
7
7
3
4
0
0
0
0
1029
0
2
LEVIT Vasilii
6
6
4
2
0
0
0
0
886
1
3
PERALTA Yamil
3
3
2
1
0
0
0
0
432
0
4
KARNEYEU Siarhei
4
3
1
2
0
1
0
578
0
5
SZELLO Imre
2
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
299
0
6
TISCHENKO Evgeniy
3
2
2
0
1
1
0
0
436
0
7
BOULOUDINATS Chouaib
4
2
1
1
2
1
1
0
426
0
8
RUSSO Clemente
4
2
1
1
2
0
2
0
397
0
9
ABDULLAYEV Abdulkadir
4
2
2
0
2
0
2
0
562
1
10
CHELES Vladimir
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
150
0
10
POYATSYKA Denys
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
150
0
SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT 91+KG WINS #
TEAM
BOXER
LOSSES
TOTAL BOUTS
TOTAL
HOME
AWAY
TOTAL
HOME
AWAY
TD
PTS
!
1
MAKHMUDOV Arslanbek
4
4
2
2
0
0
0
0
479
0
2
HRGOVIC Filip
3
3
1
2
0
0
0
0
446
0
3
NISTOR Mihai
4
3
1
2
1
1
0
0
389
0
4
PFEIFER Erik
4
3
2
1
1
0
1
0
577
0
5
BABANIN Maxim
2
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
296
0
6
JOYCE Joseph
2
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
300
0
7
SALLAH Mohamed
3
2
0
2
1
0
1
0
422
0
8
TOIRAC Yoandi
3
2
1
1
1
0
1
0
439
0
9
WERWEJKO Sergiy
3
2
1
1
1
1
0
0
402
0
10
LARDUET Jose Angel
3
2
2
0
1
0
1
0
398
0
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON IV, 2013-2014 – INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS – 121
WSB OFFICIALS
YEARBOOK – SEASON IV, 2013-2014
WSB YEARBOOK : WSB OFFICIALS – 123
WSB OFFICIALS SUPERVISORS
BESSALEM Abdellah
BISBAL Osvaldo Rafael
BRAGA BOSELLI Luiz Claudio
FALCINELLI Franco
FIACCO Pasquale Lucio
FRANCIS David Byron
KUSIOR Adam Boguslaw
MOUSTAHSANE Sidi Mohamed
RANZE Helmut
SILVAS JR Raymond
JUNG Jae Kyu VILLARREAL Angel Luis
YUE Yan
WSB OFFICIALS NEUTRAL RINGSIDE PHYSICIANS
LOOSEMORE Michael Paul
FILIPPATOS Ioannis
VERTEMATTI Silvana
NASIROVA Leyla
SCHILLING Kai
TALAREK Lukasz Piotr
NEVERKOVICH Alex
ORNELAS CENTENO Rafael
DOLLA Thorsten
GUTIERREZ C. Barbarito
KAZAKOV Dilshod
LLOUQUET Jean Louis
PEÑA CLEMENTE Felix
KIM Victor
McKITTRICK Robert
RODRIGUEZ A. Marcelo Nelson
KHADRI Abdelhamid
STEPHENS-JOHN Deborah Ann
WSB YEARBOOK : NEUTRAL RINGSIDE PHYSICIANS – 125
WSB OFFICIALS REFEREES & JUDGES
ALTAYEV Alisher
ASANAU Siarhei
AYDIN Emre
BAGDANAVICIUS Kestutis
BASI Amrik
BEDEMANN Claus
BONET Jose
BOUGIOUKAS Evangelos
BROVIL Lars
CARBONELL A. Armando
CARRILLO ARIAS Clemente Daniel
FOTI Albino
GALLAGHER Michael
GERMAIN Tony
GORNY Mariusz
JUST Rene
KARAKULOV Mykola
KELLY Seamus
LAINE Jean-Robert
LAZIZI Athmen
MADFOUA Fathi
MALYSHEV Vladislav
McFARLANE Daniel
NORDIN Stefan
POGGI Gerardo Mariano
ROOS Allan
RYSBAYEV Rakhymzhan
SIDI YAKOUB Kheira
SZALMA Zoltan
SZUCS Veronika
AMMOUR Abderrahim
CAULFIELD Andrew
DE CASTRO Dante
HUSEYNOV Rovshan
BRAHAM Mohamed
CINAR Yasar
DEL PUERTO TRUEBA Jose Ignacio
JUHASZ Roland
WANG Dexin
TADIC Martin
ZOUBID Hassan
KAIGORODOV Anatoly
LICINI Enrico
SILVA DE ROSARIO Jones Kennedy
KIM Seog Won
POPOV Denis
VOUNG Trong Nghia
WSB YEARBOOK : REFEREES & JUDGES – 127
WSB OFFICIALS
WSB YEARBOOK : WSB OFFICIALS – 129
THE BEST OF THE SEASON
YEARBOOK – SEASON IV, 2013-2014
WSB YEARBOOK : THE BEST OF THE SEASON – 131
THE BEST OF THE SEASON MOST SUCCESSFUL TEAMS The newcomers “Cuba Domadores” was the most successful Franchise in Season IV, with only one defeat throughout the entire season, and an incredible 63-18 record throughout the course of the competition. The Domadores’ home record was particularly outstanding, as they won all of their seven fixtures in Havana. Season IV runners-up Azerbaijan Baku Fires won six of their nine home matches over the course of the season, with their lone two defeats to Cuba Domadores, and a draw with the Cubans in the last match of the Finals weekend. Although no Franchises from Group A reached the semifinals, two of the members of that group had a fantastic regular season, with Dolce & Gabbana Italia Thunder winning 90% of their group fixtures, and runners-up in the group Ukraine Otamans who won 80% of their fixtures. The Italians are one of the most successful teams in WSB history, and boast the remarkable statistic of never having lost a home fixture. In February, Italy defeated Ukraine 5-0 to become the first WSB Franchise to reach 100 home wins in the competition. One of the most surprising performances of Season IV was the Russian Boxing Team defeating Cuba Domadores during the regular season, a victory which really showcased the strength of the Russian team. Astana Arlans Kazakhstan were also their usual consistent excellence over the course of the competition, and the Season III winners and Season IV semi-finalists won seven of their 10 regular season matches, as well as winning home and away in Germany during the quarter-finals.
THE BEST OF THE SEASON MOST SUCCESSFUL BOXERS Alberto Melian was the number one ranked bantamweight of Season IV, and the Argentina Condors boxer amassed an impeccable 5-0 record over the course of the season, mostly thanks to his incredible ability to avoid being hit. Andrew Selby is one of the most successful boxers not just in WSB, but in the history of his native Wales. The Flyweight star went 3-0 over the season for Italia Thunder, including memorable wins over Kazat Usenaliev and Elvin Mamishzada. Two undefeated heavyweights defined Season IV, with Cuba’s Erislandy Savon (7-0) and Kazakstan’s Vasilii Levit (6-0) both dominating the competition. Cuba’s Yosbany Veitia won all of his eight WSB bouts at light flyweight and finished as the number one ranked boxer in that weight class, while Astana’s athlete Mardan Berikbayev finished 3-0.
Cuban light-heavyweight Julio Cesar De La Cruz had the pressure of his entire nation on his shoulders going into his fight against the Baku Fires representative Mikhail Dauhaliavets, as De La Cruz needed to win to keep Cuba in the contest, and a loss would have given the title to Azerbaijan. The Cuban won the fight, giving a final record of 5-1 in WSB Season IV. Two light-welterweights dominated the season, with Cuba’s Yasnier Toledo amassing a 5-2 record, with his two losses coming against Azerbaijan's Gaybatulla Gadzhialiyev. Lazaro Alvarez almost accumulated a perfect 7-0 record in his debut season, but had to settle for 6-1 after being defeated by the legend killer Albert Selimov in the Final. Two Italia Thunder boxers, Brazil’s Robson Conceicao and Domenico Valentino also impressed at lightweight. Astana Arlans Kazakhstan boasted one of the best boxers in WSB history in the fourth edition of the tournament, as Ukraine’s Sergiy Derevyanchenko won all five of his middleweight contests throughout the season, while Russia’s Artem Chebotarev finished the season with three wins, including two against top ten opponents. Azerbaijan’s number one ranked super-heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov smashed his way to five successive wins, and Croatia’s number two ranked Filip Hrgovic represented Astana Arlans Kazakhstan with much class. Two Cubans dominated the welterweight class, with gold medal specialist Roniel Iglesias Sotolongo going 5-0, while teammate Arisnoydis Despaigne won the Tiebreaker bout to ensure Cuba’s title victory.
WSB YEARBOOK : THE BEST OF THE SEASON – 133
BEST QUOTES
YEARBOOK – SEASON IV, 2013-2014
WSB YEARBOOK : BEST QUOTES – 135
BEST QUOTES
“I will never forget this fight. In such moments, one’s heart is simply vibrating.” Cuba Domadores Welterweight Arisnoidys Despaigne on his WSB Champions title victory. “The WSB Finals occurred at the same time that Cuba was hosting the Judo Grand Prix with participants from over 100 countries, but almost everybody was waiting for the boxing to start. This is to say that the Cubans enjoyed this tournament a lot. I can almost guarantee that at least 50 % of Cubans were sitting in front of their screens watching every single bout. This contributed a lot to the creation of a very favourable environment for boxing among the Cuban population in general and to help our boxers to identify themselves with this success.” Mr. Alberto Puig de la Barca, President of the Cuban Boxing Federation after the success of his team. “(The team) fought to the limit, but we didn’t reach our goal. Overall, we took second place amongst such strong teams, very honorable. But, I am not happy with the result. I’m a maximalist. The championship – it’s our constant goal.” Azerbaijan Baku Fires head coach Nuripasha Talibov after the final. “Usenaliev must be finding it very frustrating chasing shadows, hitting nothing but air but taking punishment as well.” WSB commentator describing Andrew Selby’s evasive skills. “If they need my boxing knowledge I am willing to fight anybody anywhere.” Hungary's Imre Szello after deputising for Clemente Russo.
“Nistor was coasting to victory… Coasting is the only word for it… And then suddenly, the real Makhmudov appeared. […] It may go down in WSB history; a boxer that was so far ahead on points, that all he had to do was stay out of trouble for a few seconds, instead went forward and got knocked out at such a critical time.” WSB commentator after an error from experienced Italia Thunder boxer Mihai Nistor, who, after dominating for five rounds, chose to aggressively re-engage with his opponent rather than seeing the match to safety. “On April 6, we will be celebrating the very first International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. I strongly believe that sport can drive peace around the world. And I know that this WSB quarter-final will be the perfect symbol of that.” The International Boxing Association (AIBA) President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu before Russia met Ukraine.
WSB YEARBOOK : BEST QUOTES – 137
THE SEASON IN PICTURES YEARBOOK – SEASON 2012-2013
WSB YEARBOOK : THE SEASON IN PICTURES – 139
THE SEASON IN PICTURES
WSB YEARBOOK : THE SEASON IN PICTURES – 141
SEASON V DRAW YEARBOOK – SEASON IV, 2013-2014
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON V DRAW – 143
WSB SEASON V GROUP A PREVI CHAMPIONS AND CHALLENGERS COMPE After the WSB Season V draw was revealed around the world, boxing fans have been salivating over both groups that were drawn, and the Franchises that are competing in the competition this season. Group A consists of the current WSB defending champions Cuba Domadores, Season IV semi-finalists Russian Boxing Team, Season III runners-up Ukraine Otamans, the always dangerous Team Germany, exciting Mexico Guerreros, durable Algeria Desert Hawks, plus two new Franchises, from China and Morocco. With four continents represented in the group, many pugilism aficionados are excited about the allAfrican encounter between Algeria Desert Hawks, and newcomers Atlas Lions Moroccan Boxing Team. With Algeria’s prior experience in WSB they will be wanting to assert themselves as the best African team
in the tournament, but Morocco are being tipped to put together an impressive squad, and they will meet each other in week six, and week 13 of the season. Defending champions Cuba Domadores were the number one seeds in the draw, which resulted in them starting the season at home, against Morocco in week one. The Cuban team lost just once in WSB in their debut season away to the Russian Boxing Team in the group stages, and they will seek to avenge that loss in week ten this time around. The Russian Boxing Team reached the semi-final stage last season, in part due to their excellent home form. They start the season at home to Algeria, and will be hoping to kick off their season in some style. Team Germany struggled in Season IV, failing to capitalize
IEW ETE FOR GLORY on a successful Season III, and they will be looking to make amends for that disappointment, and perhaps they will attempt to replicate their national football team’s success in winning major international competitions. Mexico Guerreros also failed to sparkle last season, but as one of the proudest boxing nations in the world, they will be giving it their all to succeed in Season V. After a tricky opening tie away in Ukraine, Mexico then have two home fixtures in a row against their African competitors, and will be hoping that a quick start will help them to qualify for the knock-out stages. China Dragons team is back in WSB, previously fielding the Beijing Dragons in Seasons I and II. After much success in international boxing competitions over the last two years, their squad will be confident of causing upsets. There are no easy contests in WSB, but China’s start to the season is a particularly tricky one, as they will face Germany, Russia, Ukraine and Cuba in their first four matches. Ukraine Otamans have consistently qualified for the knock-out stages of WSB during their history in the competition, and they will be looking to reclaim the form they showed in reaching the Finals in the third season of WSB. This group is a perfect encapsulation of why WSB is a concept that has successfully transcended sport, and managed to make a huge name for itself all over the globe. Four continents, ten weight classes, and thousands of fans per match-up promises to make Group A one of the most favourite collectives in the history of the competition.
GROUP A
UKRAINE OTAMANS RUSSIA BOXING TEAM GERMAN EAGLES ALGERIA DESERT HAWKS MEXICO GUERREROS MOROCCO ATLAS LIONS CUBA DOMADORES CHINA DRAGONS
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON V GROUP A – 145
WSB SEASON V GROUP B PREVI FORMER WINNERS AND FUTURE HOPEFUL Group B consists of the current WSB runners-up Azerbaijan Baku Fires, Season III winners Astana Arlans Kazakhstan, Season II winners Italia Thunder, exciting USA Knockouts, rugged Rafako Hussars Poland, durable Argentina Condors, plus Venezuela Caciques, and Puerto Rico Hurricanes. With four teams from Europe, two from North America, plus two South American Franchises included, the global aspect of WSB is represented fully in Group B. South America has been home to many of the greatest boxers of all time, and Argentina Condors, fresh off their second season of WSB action, are looking to establish themselves as the dominant Franchise from their continent in Season V.
To accomplish that goal, they will have to perform better than the new Franchise from Venezuela, who according to many boxing insiders are amassing an impressive squad for the upcoming season. The two South American boxing giants will meet each other in week five, and week 12 of the season, and both will be hoping they will be in position to progress into the knock-out stages of the competition come the end of the group stage. One franchise who will be confident of getting out of the group will be Azerbaijan Baku Fires, who lost the engrossing WSB Season IV Final against the sublime Cuba Domadores, by the narrowest of margins. The Baku Fires will be looking to go one further in Season V, and they have the knowledge and awareness of how to successfully negotiate their way through the group stages in order to reach the latter stages of the tournament. Astana Arlans Kazakhstan were eliminated by Azerbaijan in Season IV, but the two Franchises struck up a kinship after their hard fought semi-finals contest. Many WSB teams would be delighted with a semi-final finish, but as the Season III champions, Kazakhstan will be looking to go all the way again this time around. In order to fulfill their hopes, they will have to beat the big teams, and their matches with Azerbaijan in week three and week 10 will be keenly awaited by WSB fans.
IEW LS CHALLENGE FOR SUCCESS Italia Thunder have been one of the most successful Franchises in WSB history, and the flamboyant team have one of the finest squads in the entire competition.
GROUP B
After winning Season II, the Italians have failed to reach the semi-finals stage in the last two seasons, and they have a difficult start to life in Group B.
ARGENTINA CONDORS
Their season starts with with two tough away matches, firstly against Azerbaijan, and then they face USA Knockouts in week two.
ASTANA ARLANS KAZAKHSTAN
The Knockouts reached the quarter-final stage last season, before running into the dominant Cuba Domadores, and the American side will at least want to replicate their accomplishments in Season V.
PUERTO RICO HURRICANES
They will have to work hard to maintain their supremacy as the North American leaders of WSB, as one of the best boxing nations in the world joins WSB, with Puerto Rico looking to produce a hurricane over the competition. Completing the group at this moment will be Rafako Hussars Poland, who will be looking to forget their disappointing season last year, and concentrate on improving their talented squad even further. The Polish team have great durability and courage, and they will seek to turn their resilience and drive into results and wins, starting with their first week match away against the as yet unannounced eighth team of Group B.
ITALIA THUNDER USA KNOCKOUTS VENEZUELA CACIQUES AZERBAIJAN BAKU FIRES RAFAKO HUSSARS POLAND
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON V GROUP B – 147
REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE GROUP A WEEK
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
DATE
HOME
AWAY
16.01.15
Cuba
Morocco
16.01.15
Ukraine
Mexico
16.01.15
Russia
Algeria
16.01.15
Germany
23.01.15
WEEK
DATE
HOME
AWAY
06.03.15
Morocco
Cuba
06.03.15
Mexico
Ukraine
06.03.15
Algeria
Russia
China
06.03.15
China
Germany
Mexico
Morocco
13.03.15
Morocco
Mexico
23.01.15
Algeria
Cuba
13.03.15
Cuba
Algeria
23.01.15
Ukraine
Germany
13.03.15
Germany
Ukraine
23.01.15
China
Russia
13.03.15
Russia
China
30.01.15
China
Ukraine
20.03.15
Ukraine
China
30.01.15
Morocco
Germany
20.03.15
Germany
Morocco
30.01.15
Cuba
Russia
20.03.15
Russia
Cuba
30.01.15
Mexico
Algeria
20.03.15
Algeria
Mexico
06.02.15
Germany
Algeria
27.03.15
Algeria
Germany
06.02.15
Russia
Mexico
27.03.15
Mexico
Russia
06.02.15
Cuba
China
27.03.15
China
Cuba
06.02.15
Ukraine
Morocco
27.03.15
Morocco
Ukraine
13.02.15
Russia
Germany
10.04.15
Germany
Russia
13.02.15
Algeria
Ukraine
10.04.15
Ukraine
Algeria
13.02.15
Mexico
Cuba
10.04.15
Cuba
Mexico
13.02.15
China
Morocco
10.04.15
Morocco
China
20.02.15
Russia
Ukraine
17.04.15
Ukraine
Russia
20.02.15
Mexico
China
17.04.15
China
Mexico
20.02.15
Morocco
Algeria
17.04.15
Algeria
Morocco
20.02.15
Cuba
Germany
17.04.15
Germany
Cuba
27.02.15
Ukraine
Cuba
24.04.15
Cuba
Ukraine
27.02.15
Russia
Morocco
24.04.15
Morocco
Russia
27.02.15
Germany
Mexico
24.04.15
Mexico
Germany
27.02.15
Algeria
China
24.04.15
China
Algeria
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE GROUP B WEEK
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
DATE
HOME
AWAY
17.01.15
Azerbaijan
Italia
17.01.15
Argentina
USA
17.01.15
Kazakhstan
Venezuela
17.01.15
Puerto Rico
24.01.15
WEEK
DATE
HOME
AWAY
07.03.15
Italia
Azerbaijan
07.03.15
USA
Argentina
07.03.15
Venezuela
Kazakhstan
Poland
07.03.15
Poland
Puerto Rico
USA
Italia
14.03.15
Italia
USA
24.01.15
Venezuela
Azerbaijan
14.03.15
Azerbaijan
Venezuela
24.01.15
Argentina
Puerto Rico
14.03.15
Puerto Rico
Argentina
24.01.15
Poland
Kazakhstan
14.03.15
Kazakhstan
Poland
31.01.15
Poland
Argentina
21.03.15
Argentina
Poland
31.01.15
Italia
Puerto Rico
21.03.15
Puerto Rico
Italia
31.01.15
Azerbaijan
Kazakhstan
21.03.15
Kazakhstan
Azerbaijan
31.01.15
USA
Venezuela
21.03.15
Venezuela
USA
07.02.15
Puerto Rico
Venezuela
28.03.15
Venezuela
Puerto Rico
07.02.15
Kazakhstan
USA
28.03.15
USA
Kazakhstan
07.02.15
Azerbaijan
Poland
28.03.15
Poland
Azerbaijan
07.02.15
Argentina
Italia
28.03.15
Italia
Argentina
14.02.15
Kazakhstan
Puerto Rico
11.04.15
Puerto Rico
Kazakhstan
14.02.15
Venezuela
Argentina
11.04.15
Argentina
Venezuela
14.02.15
USA
Azerbaijan
11.04.15
Azerbaijan
USA
14.02.15
Poland
Italia
11.04.15
Italia
Poland
21.02.15
Kazakhstan
Argentina
18.04.15
Argentina
Kazakhstan
21.02.15
USA
Poland
18.04.15
Poland
USA
21.02.15
Italia
Venezuela
18.04.15
Venezuela
Italia
21.02.15
Azerbaijan
Puerto Rico
18.04.15
Puerto Rico
Azerbaijan
28.02.15
Argentina
Azerbaijan
25.04.15
Azerbaijan
Argentina
28.02.15
Kazakhstan
Italia
25.04.15
Italia
Kazakhstan
28.02.15
Puerto Rico
USA
25.04.15
USA
Puerto Rico
28.02.15
Venezuela
Poland
25.04.15
Poland
Venezuela
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
WSB YEARBOOK : SEASON V SCHEDULE – 149
PLAYOFFS
1ST A
1ST B
FINALIST 1
FINALIST 2
2ND B
2ND A SEMIFINALIST 3
3RD A
WSB CHAMPION
SEMIFINALIST 4
3RD B
OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION QUALIFICATION SYSTEM – RIO 2016 A total of 286 qualifying positions for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games are available for boxers competing in AIBA tournaments and here in WSB Yearbook we present you WSB slots that could lead to golden glory in Brazil. Season V of WSB is extremely important for all the boxers, Franchises, federations and AIBA, as 17 boxers will qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games through the individual rankings of the boxers in the regular season. Individual ranking is determined by the highest number of wins during the regular WSB season from January until March 2015. The Top Ranked Boxer(s) of the WSB Individual Ranking at the end of the Regular Season, in each weight category, will each obtain a quota place(s) for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games as follows : WEIGHT CATEGORY
WSB RANKING 2015
46-49 kg
1
52 kg
2
56 kg
2
60 kg
2
64 kg
2
69 kg
2
75 kg
2
81 kg
2
91 kg
1
91+ kg
1
TOTAL
17
In the event of two boxers having the same number of wins, the boxer with fewer bouts is taken into account, then the head-to-head results for boxers competing in the same group, then the greater number of away wins. If there is still a tie the greater number of points obtained in victories is taken into account and, finally, the lesser number of warnings over the course of the season. APB/WSB Olympic qualifying event Aside from the boxers who qualify automatically, 26 more hopefuls who competed in APB or WSB will be able to qualify for Rio through a number of Olympic qualifying events, all with a three rounds of three minutes format, which will be staged in May 2016 for the final chance to become an Olympian. WEIGHT CATEGORY
APB/WSB QUALIFYING
46-49 kg
3
52 kg
3
56 kg
3
60 kg
3
64 kg
3
69 kg
3
75 kg
3
81 kg
3
91 kg
1
91+ kg
1
TOTAL
26
WSB YEARBOOK : PLAYOFFS – 151
TRIBUTE TO WSB FANS YEARBOOK – SEASON IV, 2013-2014
WSB YEARBOOK : TRIBUTE TO WSB FANS – 153
TRIBUTE TO WSB FANS WSB HELPS ME TO BE A BETTER PARENT The WSB ran a competition on our social media platforms, with the opportunity for fans of WSB to win a pair of gloves from the now legendary Season IV Finals between Cuba Domadores and Azerbaijan Baku Fires. After days of discussion, the best written content awarded by unanimous decision was a piece by former athlete Jay Vaananen, who shared an emotional story about how WSB helps him to educate his five year old child.
His beautiful words saw him clinch gold, and the beautiful gloves of the Season IV Finals, and can be read immediately below. Dad, what’s that flag ?” asked my five year old son while climbing on to my lap to see what I was looking at on the iPad. After 20 years away from the sport of boxing I had recently found it again as a spectator. A week earlier I had taken my son to watch a local amateur boxing
tournament and my father had also come with us. Three generations from the same family together, enjoying a globally recognized sport. After returning from the tournament my son had called it “the best day ever”. For a father these words melted my heart. A few days after the tournament, I had discovered the World Series of Boxing while browsing for boxing news on the web. I was on the WSB website when my son asked me about the flag. “It’s the Mexican flag” I replied “That’s the Mexican boxing team” “Where’s Mexico ?” He asked. Just like a child, ever inquisitive, always following an answer with a question. I explained to him where Mexico was and after each answer he had another question about Mexico : What language do they speak ? What food do they eat ? Do they make cars ? Do they train hard at boxing ? When is their bedtime ? He also wanted to see them box so I went to Youtube and found the match of Mexico vs. Algeria. We sat there, father and son together as this time he asked about Algeria’s language, cuisine, motor industry, boxing training methods and their bedtimes.
It was that evening that I subscribed to the live and on demand World Series Boxing. The boxing cards became a thing we did together, days before the teams would meet, my son and I would learn about the countries whose match it was, their history, language and culture. He would draw pictures and flags of the teams himself and then we’d watch the matches together, him sitting on my lap, eyes wide with wonder asking the same questions over and over “Who do you want to win daddy ?” “Who’s the best boxer daddy ?” So what does World Series of Boxing mean to me ? It helps me to be a better parent. It’s the chance for me to teach my son about the world, its people, and culture, about fair play, hard work and dedication. Even more important than that, it gives me the opportunity to spend time with my son and watch a sport I love and share those moments of enjoyment with him, passing on to another generation the values that boxing personifies. The whole team behind WSB would like to thank all the participants of the contest for their great ideas, and continued support, and we are looking forward to having our fans with us every step of the way of the Season V.
It was clear that he obviously enjoyed watching the sport, but to him, it was much more than just boxing, it was whole new world of countries and places he didn’t know but wanted to learn about. He particularly liked the flags and the team logos. It dawned on me that this was also a great opportunity for me, as a parent, to teach him about the world and sporting values.
WSB YEARBOOK : TRIBUTE TO WSB FANS – 155
World Series of Boxing S.A. would like to thank the following people and organizations, without whom this successful fourth season of the competition would not have been possible Our official glove supplier Adidas Our 12 teams and their hard work in the third season All AIBA National Federations and their support All WSB Supervisors, Referees & Judges and Ringside Doctors Swiss Timing Mediasprint And last but not least, all the staff at AIBA and WSB
WORLD SERIES OF BOXING Avenue de Rhodanie 54 1007 Lausanne, Switzerland www.worldseriesboxing.com
WSB WEBSITE
www.worldseriesboxing.com
WSB TV
www.worldseriesboxingtv.com
facebook.com/WSB.Boxing
www.twitter.com/WSB_Boxing
PHOTOS
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