World Series of Boxing (WSB) is delighted to announce that this season’s semi-final first leg match between Mexico Guerreros and Astana Arlans Kazakhstan will be held this Friday, April 12 outside, on the main square of Mexico City.
El Zócalo, formally named Plaza de la Constitución is located in the heart of the historic centre of Mexico City. With its 57,600 square meters, it is one of the largest city squares in the world and has been a gathering place for Mexicans since the Aztec times. It has received foreign heads of state and is the main venue for both national celebration and national protest.
It is bordered by the Cathedral to the north, the National Palace to the east, the Federal District buildings to the south and the Old Portal de Mercaderes to the west. The Nacional Monte de Piedad building is at the north-west corner and the Templo Mayor to the northeast. In the centre is a flagpole with an enormous Mexican flag ceremoniously raised and lowered each day and carried into the National Palace.
Mexico Guerreros vs. Astana Arlans Kazakhstan will be the first ever boxing event to be held on this iconic place.
“It is within our mission to promote sports and physical activities, as well as to be host of high quality international sporting events that our community can benefit from and portray at a national and international level Mexico City as a leader in the organization of sports related massive events. The Mexico Guerreros are our representatives in WSB, so the City and the country are very interested in working with them. We are looking forward to accomplish more of our goals together”, declared Mr Miguel Ángel Mancera Espinosa, Mayor of Mexico City.
“It is a great honour for WSB and the Mexican Boxing Federation to have received such a proposal from the City of Mexico. This is an extremely exciting opportunity to demonstrate once more the status and the attractiveness of our competition programs in such a major market for the sport of boxing. I am convinced that both teams will give an amazing show and that this event will leave an important legacy in Mexico”, stated Dr Ching-Kuo Wu, AIBA President and WSB Board Chairman.
Preview semi-final Italy vs. Kazakhstan
Defending Champions Dolce & Gabbana Italia Thunder and impressive Ukraine Otamans will meet for the first time this Friday, April 12 at the Casino Campione of Campione d’Italia for the first semi-final of this World Series of Boxing (WSB) season.
Italians advanced to the Final Four in a raging style after winning both quarter-final matches against Hussars Poland. Ukraine started the season a bit in the shadow but accelerated the tempo week after week before revealing its full power at the end of the Regular Season and eliminating Azerbaijan Baku Fires in the play-offs.
Italian Bantamweight (50-54 kg) Vittorio Parrinello is known to be very patient, waiting for the slightest opponent’s weakness to attack quickly. His rival will be 23 year old Viktor Gogolyev who defeated Mexico Guerreros’ Braulio Avila in week four. Both boxers have a very similar style but Parrinello will step onto the ring with much more experience.
The Lightweight (57-61kg) bout will come up next with huge anticipation between Thunder’s Branimir Stankovic and World and Olympic silver medallist, Denys Berinchyk. The Serbian will represent the Italian side for the second time in a row in the WSB semi-finals and will most likely try to impose the rhythm in front of his “home” crowd. Berinchyk has always a very aggressive tactic and delivers some of the most punishing hits around. His explosive style will offer the fans a great show.
At Middleweight (68-73 kg), William McLaughlin is expected to bring one point to Italy. The Irishman has so far won six fights in Season II and Season III. He tasted defeat only once, against tough Ukrainian revelation Dmytro Mytrofanov, and might see his fight against inexperienced Ievgenii Barabanov as the opportunity to get back on track. The Ukrainian, the current National Elite Champion, will be making his WSB debuts.
Next up at Light Heavyweight (80-85 kg), Hungarian powerhouse Imre Szello has three years of WSB experience under his belt. Italia’s fighter will be high on confidence when he meets 20-year-old Denys Solonenko. The Ukrainian was defeated three times this season and might have to come up with something really special to have a chance.
The most anticipated bout of the night will come at Heavyweight (91+ kg) with Thunder’s former pro fighter Matteo Modugno scheduled to battle with World and Olympic superstar, Oleksandr Usyk. Modugno can always argue having claimed four back-to-back victories this season, but Usyk remains the clear favourite, mixing sublime technique with devastating power. When questioned about his thoughts on the fight, Usyk declared: “It is crucial for me that our team gives as much as possible a taste of its quality in these semi-finals. And I know that the guys are quite decided about that”.
