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Cuban boxing team comes out on top at start of World Series

Xinhua, February 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

Cuba's boxing team "Domadores" ("Ringmasters") kicked off their participation in the 6th World Series of Boxing (WSB) by defeating hosts "Conquerors" 5-0 in Group A in Istanbul, Turkey, on Saturday.

The Cuban team did not drop a single round in Istanbul's Bagcilar Sports Complex even though they faced a few aggressive Conquerors. The win means the Caribbean team has already accumulated 150 wins in the three years they have participated in the WSB.

Cuba's landslide victory began in the 52 kilogram category where rookie Frank Zaldivar defeated Ferhat Pehlivan, a fly with greater experience which was not visible in the ring.

In the 60 kilograms category, three-time world champion Lazaro Alvarez easily won against Yasin Yilmaz. The Cuban, who appeared at times to be in a training fight gave a master class in boxing to win the judges unanimous decision.

In the following fight, Olympic champion of the 60 kilogram category, Roniel Iglesias, showed no mercy to young, newcomer Serhat Guler.

Next into the ring was 2015's best fighter, according to the International Boxing Associaton (AIBA), Julio Cesar la Cruz. He fought in his usual unique way to assure his triumph over Mehmet Nadir Unal.

There was a certain level of expectation surrounding the final fight between Cuba's Yohandi Toirac and Turkey's Bahram Muzaffer in the super heavy category. The Turk is known for his extensive history on the international scene but in reality it was the Cuban that won with a technical knock out after Muzaffer could not recover after the first attack.

With these five victories, the Cubans started off their 6th WBS campaign with all guns blazing with the intention of winning back the title they lost to Kazakhstan's Astana Arlans in the 5th WBS.

Apart from the Cubans and Turks, Ukraine's Otamans and China's Dragons complete Group A.

Mexico's Guerreros, the Knockouts from the United States, Morroco's Atlas Lions and the British Lionhearts make up Group B.

The Russian Boxingteam, Poland's Hussars, Argentina's Condors and the Caciques from Venezuela form Group C.

Current champions Kazakhstan's Astana Arlans are included in Group D along with Azerbaijan's Baku Fires, Hurricanes from Puerto Rico and Uzbekistan's Tigers.

The top two teams from each group will progress to the quarter finals at the start of April.

The winners will then advance to the semi-finals and final between May 20 and 21. Endit