Caserta, Novosibirsk, Sofia and Astana hosted the 52 kg, 60 kg, 64 kg, 81 kg and 91 kg APB Inaugural Title Matches. There were some upsets and some bouts which went as planned — find the full results, and the week 3 World Series of Boxing results here.
HEAVY 91 KG
Going into the AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) Heavyweight (91 kg) Inaugural Title Match, much of the attention was on hometown star, the two-time AIBA World Championships gold medalist, and two-time Olympic Games silver medalist Clemente Russo, and his attempts to finally beat Aleksei Egorov, and claim the title belt.
However, just like in their week two fixture, the Russian 2013 European Champion Egorov managed to silence the Italian fans in Catania, as he defeated Russo for the second time, and became APB Champion in the process.
The fight was unbelievably close, with Egorov taking the first round and Russo the next two frames.
Just as the Italian looked like he was running away with the match, Egorov came storming back, and took rounds four to seven to give him an unassailable lead going into the last three minutes of the bout.
Russo is one of the most resilient boxers in the history of this sport, and took the last round on two scorecards, but it wasn’t enough, and he was beaten for the second time in APB.
Egorov, now 4-0 won 77:75 according to two judges, while the third scorer had the fight a draw.
The ecstatic Russian boxer held the belt aloft to the respect of a dejected, but respectful partisan crowd, and Russo will hope it will be third time lucky if the two are to meet in APB again.
Match results:
- 21:00: Charles JAVONTA (USA) vs Yamil PERALTA (ARG) W.O.
- (Exhibition Match: Marco CALIC (CRO) W.P. (59:55/ 59:55/ 58:56) vs Yamil PERALTA (ARG))
- 21:30: Emir AHMATOVIC (GER) vs Anton PINCHUK (KAZ) W.P. (55:59/ 55:59/ 55:59)
- 22:00: Chouaib BOULOUDINATS (ALG) W.P. (58:56/ 59:55/ 60:54) vs Roman GOLOVASHCHENKO (UKR)
- 22:30: Clemente RUSSO (ITA) vs Aleksey EGOROV (RUS) W.P. (75:77/ 76:76/ 75:77) (APB Inaugural Champion)
FLY 52 KG
The AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) Inaugural Title Match for the Flyweights (52+ kg) proved to be one of the greatest matches yet in the competition, and the Skk sever, Novosibirsk eventually saw Russian home favourite Mikhail Aloian defeat Mexico’s Elias Emigdio to claim the title.
Aloian, the number one seed coming into the competition maintained his undefeated record in APB, but was pushed all the way by his Mexican rival.
Although Aloian won the first five rounds on each scorecard, there was not a moment in those frames where Emigdio wasn’t trying his best to win, but the two-time AIBA World Championships gold medalist was just too strong, and too good.
Emigdio battled to the end however, and claimed the last two rounds, but it wasn’t enough after the dominance he had suffered against earlier in the contest, and Aloian eventually won the bout, and the title on all three scorecards, 78:74 across the board.
The Flyweights have been consistently exciting this season, and it one of the most talent-heavy divisions in APB, but Aloian has excelled throughout, and looks almost impossible to beat.
Russia’s new hero celebrated in front of his home fans, and could hold this title for a long time to come.
Match results:
- 19:00: Redouane ASLOUM (FRA) W.O. vs Vincezo PICARDI (ITA)
- 19:30: Mohammed FLISSI (ALG) vs Ilyas SULEIMENOV (KAZ) TKO R2 (0:37)
- 20:00: Fernando MARTÍNEZ (ARG) vs Jabursek LATIPOV (UZB) W.O.
- 20:30: Misha ALOIAN (RUS) W.P. (78:74/ 78:74/ 78:74) (APB Inaugural Champion) vs Elias EMIGDIO (MEX)
LIGHT 60 KG
Two undefeated Lightweights (60 kg) competed in the AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) Inaugural Title Match on January 30th, and the fans packed in the Daulet Sports Complex, Astana ultimately saw home favourite, and number one seed Berik Abdrakhmanov defeat Uzbekistan’s Hurshid Tojibaev.
Berik Abdrakhmanov, now 4-0 in APB won the majority of the first four rounds in Astana, and looked en route to a comfortable victory, before Tojibaev began to turn up the heat in the middle section of the fight.
The Uzbek fighter, now 3-1 pushed the pace as the fight progressed, and impressed different judges in different rounds.
Perhaps the main difference between the two fighters was that when Abdrakhmanov won rounds, he tended to do so on all of the scorecards, while Tojibaev’s successes were more scattered.
After eight rounds of intense action, Abdrakhmanov eventually controlled the fight enough to win, and celebrated a unanimous decision victory with scores of 78:74, and two 77:75 cards.
The new Lightweight champion was delighted after the match, and will celebrate long into the night.
Match schedule:
- 19:30: Artur BRIL (GER) vs Domenico VALENTINO (ITA) W.P. (56:58/ 57:57/ 57:57)
- 20:00: Robson CONCEICAO (BRA) W.P. (57:57/ 58:56/ 58:56) vs Charly SUAREZ (PHI)
- 20:30: David JOYCE (IRL) vs Dmitry POLYANSKIY (RUS) W.P. (55:59/ 57:57/ 56:58)
- 21:00: Berik ABDRAKHMANOV W.P. (77:75/ 77:75/ 78:74) (APB Inaugural Champion) vs Hurshid TOJIBAEV (UZB)
LIGHT HEAVY 81 KG
The Universiada Hall, Sofia hosted the AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) Light heavyweight (81 kg) Inaugural Title Match, where Iran’s Ehsan Rouzbahani dominated number one seed and Commonwealth Games silver medalist Kennedy St Pierre to claim the title.
A fight that was consistently engrossing started as a tactical battle, with both boxers beginning the contest by utilising their movement, with quick flashes of power.
Rouzbahani was perhaps the slower of the two boxers, but his combinations throughout were crisp and concise, which cut the ring off well.
The Iranian fighter battled a bloodied nose early in the fight by taking control in the middle rounds, and though St Pierre tried hard to rally, the cerebral approach of Rouzbahani was too much to handle.
As the battle began to close, both men tired, but again it was Rouzbahani who maintained the momentum, and took the final frames in decisive fashion.
After eight rounds of gruelling action, the judges awarded the contest 78:74, and 78:73 twice to the Iranian icon who wept as he was awarded the Championship belt.
Match schedule:
- 20:00: Oybek MAMAZULUNOV (UZB) vs Serge MICHEL (GER) W.P. (55:59/ 56:58/ 56:58)
- 20:30: Mathieu BAUDERLIQUE (FRA) KO (R6) vs Nikita IVANOV (RUS)
- 21:00: Spas GENOV (BUL) vs Joseph WARD (IRL) W.P. (56:58/ 55:58/ 55:59)
- 21:30: Ehsan ROUZBAHANI (IRI) W.P. (78:73/ 79:73/ 78:74) (APB Inaugural Champion) vs Kennedy St PIERRE (MRI)
LIGHT WELTER 64 KG
Three minutes into the AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) Light welterweight (64 kg) Inaugural Title Match, the crowd at the the SKK Sever, Novosibirsk were in shock, as for the first time in APB home favourite and 2013 European Champion Artem Zakaryan dropped a round in the competition to Artem Harutyunyan.
In their earlier APB clash, Zakaryan had won every frame against Harutyunyan as he had also against Vyacheslav Kyslytsyn, but for a second it seemed that the ultimate upset was on.
Zakaryan had other ideas however, and shook off the surprise of his opening stanza loss to win the bulk of the next three rounds.
Germany’s new star Harutyunyan refused to give in, and claimed the fifth on two scorecards to give him a chance heading into the Championship rounds.
It was to be the last round he would win in the match, as Zakaryan won the final three frames of the contest in excellent fashion, and claimed the APB title to the delight of his fans in the arena.
The final scorecards all read 78:74 in favour of the Russian.
Still undefeated in APB, Zakaryan was given his hardest match of the competition from the tough Harutyunyan, but battled the storm and established his ultimate dominance.
Match schedule:
- 17:00: Boris GEROGIEV (BUL) vs Vyacheslav KYSLYTSYN (UKR) W.O.
- 17:30: Juan Pablo ROMERO (MEX) vs Abdelkader CHADI (ALG) W.P. (55:59/ 56:58/ 55:59)
- 18:00: Evaldas PETRAUSKAS (LTU) vs Carlos AQUINO (ARG) W.P. (56:58/ 57:57/ 55:59)
- 18:30: Armen ZAKARYAN (RUS) W.P. (78:74/ 78:74/ 78:74) (APB Inaugural Champion) vs Artem HARUTYUNYAN (GER)(APB Inaugural Title Match)
Results: WSB Regular Season Week 3 (30 – 31 January)
Morocco Atlas Lions claim first win of the season against British Lionhearts
A nerve wracking evening in Casablanca resulted in the first World Series of Boxing (WSB) victory of the season for Morocco Atlas Lions as they defeated British Lionhearts 3-2.
The night began with success for Morocco at Light flyweight (49 kg) when Moroccan National Champion Zouhair El Bekkali won his first WSB contest of the season as he defeated Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Ashley Williams who is now 0-2 in WSB.
Mohamed VI Trophy winner Mohamed Hamout also claimed victory for the first time in Season V, with a unanimous points win over Bantamweight (56 kg) Qais Ashfaq who drops to 1-1.
The Lionhearts began a comeback in match three at Light welterweight (64 kg) when 2-0 Sam Maxwell reacted well from losing the first round by claiming a split decision win against Morocco’s 0-2 Hamza El Barbari.
Middleweight (75 kg) 2-0 Anthony Fowler then evened up the scoring on the night wide a wide points win over Said Harnouf, leaving everything to play for in the last night of the evening.
A Heavyweight (91 kg) shootout established which Franchise would win the contest, and when Lionhearts fighter 0-2 Ionut-Mirel Jitaru was forced to pull out at the end of the third round due to a shoulder injury, 1-0 Vitalijus Subacius picked up the win for himself, and for Morocco Atlas Lions.
British Lionhearts will aim to halt their losing streak next week when they face Algeria Desert Hawks at home, while Morocco Atlas Lions can climb Group A even further if they win away against the still undefeated Ukraine Otamans.
Cuba Domadores go 15-0 in Season V with victory over Russian Boxing Team
Cuba Domadores maintained their flawless start to Season V of the World Series of Boxing (WSB) as they defeated Russian Boxing Team 5-0 in Havana, to ensure three victories this season, and a trio of whitewash results.
The Group A leaders began with victory at Light flyweight (49 kg), as Cuba’s 2013 AIBA Junior World Champion Joahnys Oscar Argilagos Perez made it 2-0 this season with a unanimous points win over 2011 European Championships silver medalist 0-1 Belik Galanov of Russia.
Bantamweight (56 kg) Olympic champion Robeisy Ramirez then dropped just two rounds en route to his second win of the campaign over former European Junior Champion 0-1 Bakhtovar Nazirov.
The Cuban win was sealed at Light welterweight (64 kg) as two-time AIBA World Championships silver medalist and Olympic bronze medalist Yasniel Toledo won his seventh WSB match in total, and second of the season against 0-1 Avak Uzlian in dominating fashion.
Middleweight Arlen Lopez then went 2-0 against WSB veteran 0-1 Maxim Gazizov to display his burgeoning reputation as one of the best in his weight class this season.
The Heavyweight sensation (91 kg) Erislandy Savon finished the evening by winning his tenth WSB match in a row when he stopped Dmitriy Zaytsev just over two minutes into their contest.
Cuba Domadores look to remain perfect next week at home to China Dragons who have yet to win a match this season, while Russian Boxing Team will aim to get back to winning ways at home to Mexico Guerreros.
Unstoppable USA Knockouts maintain winning start to Season V against Caciques Venezuela
The USA Knockouts continued their dream start to Season V of the World Series of Boxing (WSB) as they defeated Caciques Venezuela 3-2 in Miami.
Venezuela’s new Franchise came into this match full of confidence having beaten Azerbaijan Baku Fires in week two, but ultimately it was the American team who proved victorious, and sit pretty in Group B.
South American Light flyweight (49 kg) Yoel Finol won his first WSB match of the season in the first bout of the night, as he won by a tantalisingly close split decision verdict against America’s Nico Hernandez.
Bantamweight (56 kg) Knockout Francisco Martinez then evened up the scoring on the night, and secured his second WSB win a row by defeating 0-2 José Vicente Azocar in another split decision contest.
A more decisive verdict was to be found at Light welterweight (64 kg) with American debutant Tra-Kwon Pettis winning on all three scorecards against 0-2 Luis Arcón.
Venezuela regrouped at Middleweight (75 kg) however, with Jose Endry Saavedra Pinto winning his first WSB match as he won another close contest when he faced 1-1 Anthony Campbell.
With the score 2-2 heading into the final match, American Heavyweight (91 kg) Josh Temple made short work of his clash against Alfonso Flores when his 0-2 Venezuelan opponent was stopped in the third round for the second time this season.
After winning their third in a row match, USA Knockouts look for a fourth next week away to Astana Arlans Kazakhstan, while Caciques Venezuela travel to Puerto Rico Hurricanes.
Magical Mexico Guerreros establish second win in succession over Algeria Desert Hawks
Mexico Guerreros enjoyed their second World Series of Boxing (WSB) win in a row as they defeated Algeria Desert Hawks 4-1, to establish themselves as Franchise to watch in this campaign in Group A.
Light flyweight (49 kg) Joselito Velázquez Altamirano won his first match of the season to open up the winning evening for Mexico when he stopped the 0-1 Youcef Soltani less than two minutes into their fight.
Mexican Bantamweight (56 kg) Brian González also enjoyed a stoppage win in match number two, although this time it took four rounds for him to finish African Boxing Championships gold medalist Khalil Litim.
Light welterweight (64 kg) Raúl Curiel García then sealed the win for Mexico Guerreros, and his second WSB win in a row as he dropped just one round en route to a wide victory over Mohamed Boudiaf.
1-1 Mexican Light heavyweight (81 kg) Misael Uriel Rodríguez Oliva went one better than García as he won every single round against Azzouz Boudia to make it 4-0 on the night.
Algeria Desert Hawks claimed back a win in the last fight at Heavyweight (91 kg) when Bouziane Houna won on all three scorecards against Daniel Paniagua.
Mexico Guerreros are away to Russian Boxing Team next week, while Algeria Desert Hawks look for their first win of the season in London against British Lionhearts.
Astana Arlans Kazakhstan win again and send Azerbaijan Baku Fires to second consecutive loss
One of the most storied rivalries in the history of World Series of Boxing (WSB) continued in Guba, and Astana Arlans Kazakhstan won their third match in a row of Season V 3-2 away to Season IV runners-up Azerbaijan Baku Fires who have now lost two in a row.
The night began at Light flyweight (49 kg), where Temirtas Zhussupov, who is competing in his second WSB campaign for Astana Arlans Kazakhstan widely outpointed Rasul Saliyev.
Azerbaijan evened up the scoring in fight number two, as their Bantamweight (56 kg) Magomed Gurbanov continued his winning run with a comfortable win against Nursultan Kochshegulov.
Light welterweight (64 kg) Gaybatulla Gadzhialiyev has been a standout performer for Azerbaijan Baku Fires over the years, and lived up to his reputation with his second win of the season, earned over Askhat Ualikhanov.
Kazakhstan’s exciting Meiirim Nursultanov continued his undefeated start to the season at Middleweight (75 kg) and kept the match alive for Astana Arlans after a close, but deserved win against Jaba Khositashvili.
With everything to play for heading into the final match, Heavyweight (91 kg) Vasiliy Levit won the night for Kazakhstan with a third round finish over Rail Mammadli, earning his second stoppage win of the season.
Azerbaijan Baku Fires will look to shake off their losing run next week at home to Rafako Hussars Poland, while Astana Arlans Kazakhstan host fellow undefeated Franchise USA Knockouts.
Italia Thunder destroy Puerto Rico Hurricanes and enjoy first victory of Season V
Puerto Rico Hurricanes were riding a wave of success coming into their bout with Italia Thunder having won their opening two contests, while the European Franchise had lost both of their first two matches.
These earlier results established this Group B contest in Palermo, Italy as a must win match for the Thunder, and they finally opened their WSB winning account at the third time of asking with a resounding 5-0 victory.
Northern Ireland’s two-time Olympic medalist Paddy Barnes is representing Italy this season, and won his second match of Season V at Light flyweight (49 kg) with a wide points win over Puerto Rican Olympian Anthony Ortiz who is now 1-1 in the competition.
Ortiz won the opening round, but Barnes improved and impressed as the fight progressed.
Michael Conlan, a Northern Irish teammate of Barnes and a fellow Olympic medalist picked up his first win of the campaign at Bantamweight (56 kg) when he stopped 1-1 Garibaldy Gomez in the third round of their contest.
Italia Thunder’s first win was confirmed in the third fight, when 1-1 Light welterweight (49 kg) Vincenzo Mangiacapre showed his class with a dominant victory over Jan Rivera, who came into this fight having won his opening WSB match.
The glory continued for Italy at Middleweight (75) as Salvatore Cavallaro won every round against Jeffrey Flaz Guillén, while Italian Heavyweight (91 kg) Endri Spahiu won via walkover due to a medical suspension for Puerto Rico’s Michael Narvaez.
Next week, Italia Thunder look for a second victory a row away against the winless Argentina Condors, while Puerto Rico Hurricanes welcome Caciques Venezuela to San Juan.
Rafako Hussars Poland secure first victory of Season V leaving Argentina Condors winless
Both Rafako Hussars Poland and Argentina Condors entered this World Series of Boxing (WSB) match having failed to win in their first two matches, so something had to give in this Group B fixture.
After a strong night of action in Włocławek, the home Polish Franchise reigned supreme, winning every fight with aplomb, and leaving Argentina still without a win this season.
The evening began at Light flyweight (49 kg) where Dawid Sebastian Jagodzinski won his first contest of the campaign with a wide points win over Argentina’s 1-1 Junior Zarate.
Argentine Bantamweight (56 kg) Ignacio Perrin was unable to compete, so therefore Sylwester Kozlowski picked up a walkover victory.
Poland went 3-0 up and took the match in the third bout, as Light welterweight (64 kg) Damian Kiwior made amends for his first week loss by beating Ronan Nahuel Sanchez 48:47 across the board.
Sanchez won two of the first three rounds, but Kiwior was the stronger fighter in the final two frames.
Polish Middleweight (75 kg) Tomasz Jablonski achieved his second WSB fight in a row with a whitewash victory over Christian Zarate.
The 5-0 scoreline for the home team was assured in the final bout at Heavyweight (91 kg) when Igor Pawel Jakubowski secured his second stoppage in in succession against Elber Santos dos Passos.
Rafako Hussars Poland will aim to continue the momentum of this decisive conquest next week when they travel to face Azerbaijan Baku Fires, while Argentina Condors continue their quest for an opening win at home to Italia Thunder.
