Home Amateur & Olympic Erik Pfeifer wins inaugural APB title at super heavy; plus full week...

Erik Pfeifer wins inaugural APB title at super heavy; plus full week 2 World Series of Boxing results

Germany’s Erik Pfeifer, a two-time AIBA World Championship bronze medalist, was crowned the first Super Heavyweight (91+ kg) Champion in the AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) Inaugural Title Match in Baku, Azerbaijan.

After eight rounds, the final scorecards read 78:74 across the board in favour of Pfeifer against his opponent, Morocco’s Mohammed Arjaoui. The German becomes the first APB Inaugural Titleholder, as well as the first German Super heavyweight World Champion since Max Schmeling.

Both Pfeifer and Arjaoui had won all three of their preliminary bouts coming into the Inaugural Title Match at Baku’s Sarhadchi Complex.

Pfeifer started the contest well, his punches landing more sharply and accurately than his African opponent. Later, Pfeifer’s extra energy and experience saw him outclass his opponent in the final two rounds, as he pulled away on points.

In order to officially qualify to compete at Rio 2016, Pfeifer must defend his title in the APB Cycle 1 Title Bout. Doing so, he will automatically be awarded an Olympic quota place as both contenders, Champion and Challenger, earn Olympic quota places. Cycle 1 is scheduled to start in March 2015.

MIDDLEWEIGHT

APB Champion: Adem KILCCI (TUR)

The Middleweight (75 kg) division has been one of the most entertaining weight classes in AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) so far, and Istanbul, Turkey was the location for the first Inaugural Title Match which took place between hometown star Adem Kilicci and Russia’s number one seed Artem Chebotarev. Kilicci has been virtually unstoppable throughout his career in the competition so far, and won by scores of 80:72, 78:74, and 78:73.

The new Champion won the first six rounds on every scorecard, and though his work dropped off a little towards the end of the fight, his quality was clear throughout, and he was the deserved winner.

WELTERWEIGHT

APB Champion: Onur SIPAL (TUR)

Sipal, following in the footsteps of compatriot and fellow titleholder Adem Kilicci, faced Kenya’s Rayton Okwiri in Baku in a rematch of an earlier APB match which was won by the Turkish fighter.

Sipal was performing at a different level to his African opponent though, and the now 4-0 APB superstar reasserted his control of the bout in the fifth and sixth rounds, which meant that Okwiri would need a knockout to win the Title. Kenya’s new hero tried his very best to achieve that in the seventh round, and he gave himself hope by winning the round across the board, and taking the contest into a final frame.

The new Turkish Champion kept his focus in the last round, winning it on two scorecards, and displaying his boxing skills which have enabled him to remain undefeated in the competition.

Results: WSB Regular Season Week 2

Rampant Russian Boxing Team secure opening WSB victory against China Dragons

Russian Boxing Team rebounded from the cancellation of their first week World Series of Boxing (WSB) bout by traveling to Sanya and defeating China Dragons 4-1 away from home.

This result means that the returning Chinese Franchise are still yet to pick up their first victory of Season V, while victory in Asia will give the Russian team much confidence for the rest of the campaign.

The Dragons actually won the first fight of the evening at Flyweight (52 kg), as Hu Jianguan defeated Russia’s Vyacheslav Tashkarakov by TKO-I 42 seconds into the fifth round.

Jianguan was ahead on two scorecards, with the third drawn by the time of the stoppage.

Russia’s Adlan Abdurashidov has been one of the best boxers for his Franchise over the years, and he opened up his WSB campaign with a wide points victory over Wang Lei at Lightweight (60 kg).

The Russian revolution continued at Welterweight (69 kg) as Radzhab Butaev dominated the majority of the rounds against Liu Wei.

A closer battle was found in the Light heavyweight (81 kg) division, but another Russian victory was to be found, this time via split decision.

China’s Aolin Zhang began the fight impressively, but Vladimir Shishkin took control of the contest as the bout progressed, and two judges awarded him with 49:46 contests, while the third gave it to Zhang by a single round.

That result enabled a winning night for Russia, and they wrapped up the victory at Super heavyweight (91 kg) with Gasan Gimbatov winning every round against Wang Zhibao.

Russia’s win sees them assert themselves in Group A, and they travel away to Cuba Domadores in week three, while China Dragons will continue to look for their first WSB victory at home to Ukraine Otamans.

Knockouts, upsets and injuries help Ukraine Otamans remain undefeated at the British Lionhearts expense

After victory for both Ukraine Otamans and British Lionhearts in their opening Group A matches, the second week bout between the two undefeated sides was eagerly anticipated.

A night of incredible action ultimately ended with a 3-2 victory for Ukraine Otamans, which kept them undefeated and gave British Lionhearts their first defeat of Season V.

The Acco International Center in Kiev was the venue for this titanic tussle, which began with one of the biggest shocks in the history of the World Series of Boxing (WSB).

British Lionhearts Flyweight (52 kg) and two-time AIBA World Championships medalist Andrew Selby entered his match with Ukraine’s Azat Usenaliev defending a 9-0 WSB record, and a reputation as one of the best fighters in the world.

Four rounds later, Selby’s undefeated record was destroyed after he was pulled out after an eye injury.

Selby still would have lost had he managed to finish the bout, as he was behind by large margins on every scorecard, and Usenaliev deserves many plaudits for his excellent performance.

A close Lightweight (60 kg) contest followed, which saw Oleg Prudkyi defeated Lionheart Joseph Cordina on points.

Welterweight (69 kg) Haizel Ekow Tabiri-Essuman then pulled back a priceless victory for the Lionhearts when he won via split decision against Bogdan Shelestyuk.

The Otamans continued their assault however, and won the night in the fourth fight, with European Junior Championships silver medallist Oleksandr Khyzhniak stopping Aston Brown in the second round of their Light heavyweight (81 kg) contest.

Powerful Super heavyweight (91+ kg) Joseph Joyce then clawed back a valuable point for British Lionhearts in the final fight of the evening, as he sensationally stopped Viktor Vykhrest in round two.

Both Franchises return to action next weekend, with Ukraine Otamans looking to keep their undefeated run going away against China Dragons, while British Lionhearts also compete abroad, as they travel to Africa to face Morocco Atlas Lions.

Rafako Hussars Poland come so close to upset against Astana Arlans Kazakhstan

After five matches of intense quality in the World Series of Boxing (WSB), Rafako Hussars Poland narrowly missed out on one of the biggest upset victories in the history of the competition, as Astana Arlans Kazakhstan ultimately won the match 3-2.

Regionalne Centrum Sportowe Sp. Z O.o, Lubin was the location for this highly entertaining series of matches, which started with a win for Astana Arlans at Flyweight (52 kg) as Olzhas Sattibayev outpointed Germany’s Hamza Touba who represents Poland.

The upset became possible in the second fight however, when Lightweight (60 kg) Dawid Michelus, who won the bronze medal at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games added to his impressive résumé when he defeated former Kazakhstan National Champion Zakir Safiullin by a single point on all three scorecards.

Northern Ireland’s 2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Steven Donnelly is competing for Rafako Hussars Poland this season, and achieved an impressive debut as he made it 2-1 on the night for his Franchise as he won by unanimous decision against Madiyar Ashkeyev.

Poland were so close to winning the match in the fourth bout, but a split decision went the way of Kazakhstan, when veteran Light heavyweight (81 kg) Hrvoje Sep impressed two of the judges against Mateusz Jerzy Tryc, who won the fight according to one scorecard.

With everything on the line coming into the last fight, Croatian Super heavyweight (91+ kg) Filip Hrgovic kept a cool head and won the night 3-2 for Astana Arlans Kazakhstan by winning every round against Pawel Wierzbicki.

The still undefeated Astana Arlans travel to Azerbaijan Baku Fires in week three, while Rafako Hussars Poland seek their first win of the season at home to Argentina Condors.

Cuba Domadores remain perfect in WSB after victory against Algeria Desert Hawks

After a dominant 5-0 week one victory over Morocco Atlas Lions, the defending World Series of Boxing (WSB) Champions Cuba Domadores maintained their perfect start to Season V with another shutout victory over Algeria Desert Hawks.

This time, the Domadores traveled to Africa, but they maintained their high standards from the very beginning against the Desert Hawks who were making their first appearance of the season.

Flyweight (52 kg) Yosbany Veitia is one of Cuba’s best boxers, and the superstar took his overall WSB record to 9-0 as he defeated Abdelhakim El Barka.

Lightweight (60 kg) Domadores fighter Lazaro Alvarez also won his opening WSB contest against Reda Benbaziz, and is now 7-1 in the competition.

Cuban Welterweight (69 kg) gold medal specialist Roniel Iglesias Sotolongo has a perfect WSB record, and now boasts a flawless 6-0 record after beating Sofiane Tabi.

A great Light heavyweight (81 kg) contest resulted in yet another win for Cuba, as Julio Cesar De La Cruz defeated two-time Olympian and 2007 All-Africa Games gold medalist Nabil Kassel.

The last fight of the evening was at Super heavyweight (91+ kg), and Cuba’s Lenier Eunice Pero made it 5-0 for the Domadores yet again with a win over Hamza Beguerni.

Cuba Domadores look to continue their perfect start in week three at home to Russian Boxing Team, while Algeria Desert Hawks travel to Mexico Guerreros.

The fairytale continues as Puerto Rico Hurricanes remain undefeated against Argentina Condors

Although the pedigree of Puerto Rican boxing is highly distinguished, few boxing insiders were tipping the Puerto Rico Hurricanes much success in their debut World Series of Boxing season, but the new Franchise remain undefeated after an away win against Argentina Condors.

Their 3-2 victory in Buenos Aires comes after another win of the same scoreline against Rafako Hussars Poland, while Argentina Condors are still yet to taste victory in Group B.

Flyweight (52 kg) Jeyvier Cintrón Ocasio is one of Puerto Rico’s most promising boxing talents, and he won his WSB debut on all three scorecards against Argentina’s Cristian Alan Choque Chambi.

The Hurricanes roared in match number two, where Lightweight (60 kg) Jose Rosario won an even wider points victory over Brian Ivan Nunez.

Argentine Welterweight (69 kg) Alberto Ignacio Palmetta has been one of the most successful boxers in recent years from the South American nation, and he clawed back a win for his Franchise against Nicklaus Flaz.

The Condors made it 2-2 on the night at Light heavyweight (81 kg) when Marcos Escudero won by unanimous decision over Joseph Laboy.

With everything to play for in the final Super heavyweight (91+ kg), the Hurricanes powerful Cosme Henrique dos Santos Nascimento secured the win for his team as he stopped Facundo Cesar Ghiglione in round three of their fight.

Puerto Rico Hurricanes look to maintain their undefeated record in week three away to Italia Thunder, while Argentina Condors will try and regroup away to Rafako Hussars Poland.

Mexico Guerreros win at home to leave Morocco Atlas Lions still without a WSB victory

After defeat for both Mexico Guerreros and Morocco Atlas Lions in their opening Group A matches, their match in Aguascalientes was a crucial one, and the home Guerreros ultimately proved victorious, winning the night 4-1 to leave Morocco still without a win this season in the World Series of Boxing (WSB).

Flyweight Alam Yael de la Luz Galindo started the night off successfully against Morocco’s Achraf Kharroubi, winning on two scorecards, while the third judge had the fight even.

A dominant last round from the Mexican fighter established the victory, and he showed many skills throughout the contest.

Mexico’s Lightweight (60 kg) Lindolfo Delgado then made it 2-0 for his Franchise with a unanimous points win over Moroccan Abdellah Boudrar who won October’s Mohamed VI Trophy.

The Atlas Lions earned their lone win of the evening in fight three, as Mohammed Rabii caused a major upset against Mexico’s Marvin Cabrera who was the WSB Season III number one ranked Welterweight (69 kg).

Rabii had a lot of pressure going into the fight, and after winning in Mexico against one of the best fighters in the weight class, he is one to watch this season.

Ecuador’s Carlos Mina is competing at Light heavyweight (81 kg) for Mexico Guerreros this season, and he confirmed their opening win of the season by defeating Mohamed Assaguir on points.

Mexico’s young Super heavyweight (91+ kg) Edgar Ramirez has amazing potential, and he displayed huge amounts of skill in the last fight of the evening, as he won every round against Morocco’s Thierry Adolphe Ngueharoum.

The Guerreros are at home again in week three against Algeria Desert Hawks, while Morocco Atlas Lions look for their first win against British Lionhearts.

USA Knockouts remain undefeated, leaving Italia Thunder without a win this season

After an inconsistent season last year in the World Series of Boxing (WSB), USA Knockouts seem to be establishing themselves as a major threat in Season V of the competition, as they won their second match in a row against Italia Thunder.

Conversely, the Italians are struggling, having yet to win this season and their 3-2 loss in Miami to USA will cause major problems for potential qualification from Group B.

The night began with a bang, as USA Flyweight (52 kg) Brent Venegas III stopped India’s Gaurav Bidhuri in the first round to give the Americans an early advantage.

Lightweight (60 kg) US 2014 Junior and Youth Open Champion Carlos Balderas is just 19-year-old, but is already being talked about as a future superstar in this sport, and he showed why against Fabio Introvaia, dropping a solitary round on one scorecard en route to a dominant victory.

The evening was won for the Knockouts after just three fights, when Welterweight (69 kg) Brian Ceballo surprisingly defeated Italia Thunder’s Olympic silver medalist Fred Evans via a wide unanimous decision.

An Italian fightback of sorts occurred in the last two bouts, where at Light heavyweight (81 kg) Valentino Manfredonia won against Steven Nelson, while at Super heavyweight (91+ kg) Guido Vianello beat America’s Cam F. Awesome via disqualification in round four of their fight.

USA Knockouts have another home match in week three against Caciques Venezuela, while Italia Thunder look for their first win at home to Puerto Rico Hurricanes.