The International Boxing Association (AIBA) and the World Series of Boxing (WSB) have announced today that both legs of the WSB quarterfinal match between the Russian Boxing Team and the Ukraine Otamans will be maintained on a home and away basis.
The first leg will be held on March 30 in Moscow (Russia), and the second leg on April 4 in Donetsk (Ukraine).
This decision has been made based on the main principle of the Olympic Movement, which is that sport should always be dealt with outside of politics. Both teams have fully agreed on this principle and AIBA/WSB is extremely happy that the opinion of both teams has been respected.
The winner of this quarter-final will then face the winner of the USA Knockouts vs. Cuba Domadores match. Of course, there are notable political concerns there as well, and a USA vs. Cuba showdown on this scale is somewhat historic.
This isn’t the first example of boxing being involved in the deadly conflicts between Russia and within the Ukraine. Former heavyweight champ Vitali Klitschko is one of the leaders of Ukraine’s opposition movement.
First leg to be held on April 25 in either Russia or Ukraine, and second leg on May 2 in either the USA or Cuba.
