Stankovic and Italia Thunder shock Ukraine Otamans (4-1)
The first battle of these World Series of Boxing (WSB) semi-finals ended on a surprisingly large victory for defending Champions Dolce & Gabbana Italia Thunder against strong Ukraine Otamans at the Casino Campione in Campione d’Italia.
The evening started at Light Heavyweight (80-85kg) when Hungarian lethal weapon Imre Szello stepped onto the ring to face Otamans’ Denys Solonenko. After a tactical first round, Szello dominated the second three minutes making the most of quick counter-attacks. Thunder’s right hooks were dangerous in the third round and all of these efforts resulted in a clean advantage after nine minutes. Well known for his habit to finish his bouts quite impressively, Szello didn’t even need to accelerate this time due the big difference between the two boxers.
Dolce & Gabbana Italia Thunder’s Middleweight (68-73kg), William McLaughlin, was much more experienced than his rival Ievgenii Barabanov. The Irishman tried to use all of his tactical skills, but the Ukrainian was very motivated and landed a lot of punches. However McLaughlin was able to turn the heat up in the third round to take a decisive lead against the Ukrainian National Elite Champion. The home fighter remained concentrated enough until the final gong to give another point to his team.
Up next at Lightweight (57-61kg), Branimir Stankovic and Denys Berinchyk offered an amaing spectacle to the crowds. Although Stankovic started very well, the Ukrainian punches became much more precise when the middle of their bout came. The home boxer was then able to found a second breathe to tie the debates after twelve minutes. A wonderful right from Stankovic opened the last round in which the Serbian showed himself fresher than Berinchyk. That was enough to confirm Stankovic’s best performance ever.
At Bantamweight (50-54kg), Jahyn Vittorio Parrinello was more experienced than his opponent Viktor Gogolyev and his sole WSB contest to date. Gogolyev was given a very tough task following the Italians 3-0 lead. Hetried to control the contest but Parrinello’s counter-attacks were more efficient. Although the Ukrainian never gave up and landed some strong punches, Parrinello’s longer hands made the decision.
While the Italians were walking on a perfect pathway, the last contest bout of the night opposed Matteo Modugno to World and Olympic Champion Oleksandr Usyk. Although the Italian started aggressively, his opponent controlled the bout from the second minute. The Referee stopped the contest in the second round and declared Usyk winner by TKO.
After this 1-4 defeat, Ukraine Otamans are now entitled to a perfect match next Friday at the 7,000-seater Sports Palace in Kiev. In case of a draw on aggregate, this match will be decided by a Middleweight (68-73kg) tiebreaker.
Kazakhstan upsets the Guerreros on El Zócalo (2-3)
Astana Arlans Kazakhstan have probably done the hardest in winning their World Series of Boxing (WSB) semi-final first leg away to the Mexico Guerreros, on the iconic El Zócalo. The Kazakhs are now three bouts away from the WSB Team Finals, which will be held on 10/11 May at the Saryarka Velodrome in Astana.
Mexican Bantamweight (50-54kg) Elias Emigdio was unbeaten before going toe-to-toe against Meirbolat Toitov. El Tornado tried to control the bout and operated with loads of punches, but not so many reached the target while Toitov’s counter-attacks were more efficient in the opening three minutes. The Kazakh then found the best distance during the second round and won the following two. Bantam No.1 Emigdio tried everything in the final frame but his efforts were not enough to escape from this major upset.
Having replaced Lightweight (57-61kg) superstar Juan Romera at the very last minute, 18-year-old Guerreros’ Luis Daniel Flores Norberto was given an extremely tough introduction to WSB against experienced Yerzhan Mussafirov. The teenager demonstrated his impressive strength of mind in the opening round, operating with efficient quick combinations. After he found the good rhythm in this bout, Flores proved that he is the new Mexican diamond, winning four of the five rounds to equalize for Mexico.
The third battle of the night came straight at Middleweight (68-73kg) with local Marvin Cabrera expected to give an important lead over the Central Asians. The 19-year-old Mexican was fighting against WSB newcomer Abuyazit Ugurchiyev. After a first tactical round, Ugurchiyev tried to dominate the second frame while Cabrera’s best moments came in the third round when he decided to attack more aggressively. Their even bout ended on the closest possible margin in favour of the Mexican who keeps his record straight (6-0 this season) and remains on top of his weight category’s individual ranking.
Isaac Muñoz is the Mexican Guerreros’ best Light Heavyweight (80-85kg) this season with a 5-1 record before his contest against Astana Arlans Kazakhstan’s Hrvoje Sep. The Croatian is also one of the biggest names in the division with more international experience than his rival. Sep started with an aggressive style, trying to eradicate the height difference between him and his taller opponent. Muñoz found a better distance in the second three minutes but the Croatian was able to use his excellent footwork to offer a second victory for Astana Arlans Kazakhstan.
With the match tied in at 2-2 before the Heavyweight (91+kg) clash, El Zócalo got all thrilled for a decisive Gerardo Miguel Bisbal vs. Filip Hrgovic. The Guerreros Puerto Rican opened better than the Croatian, leading after the first three minutes. But 21-year-old Hrgovic was then able to win all the remaining rounds, including an impressive third.
Astana Arlans Kazakhstan are now in the best possible position before the return leg Saturday 20 April at the Almaty Towers Business Center. In case of a draw on aggregate, this match will be decided by a Lightweight (57-61kg) tiebreaker.
