Cuba advances to the WSB semifinals to face Russian Boxing Team, which defeated Ukraine Otmas, 8-2, in the quarterfinals.  Russia hosts Cuba April 25 in the opening round of the semifinals and then the action shifts to Cuba on May 2. The Cuba-Russia winner will qualify for the WSB Championship, May 30-31(likely in London), against the other semifinals winner between the Astana Arlans Kazakhstan vs. Ajerbaijan Baku Fires.

USA’s middleweight Marlo Delgado (2-2) won a close five-round decision over Cuba’s WSB debuting Yaciel Despaigne (0-1).  Delgado was a 2012 Ecuador Olympian.

 (photo by Emily Harney)

Cuba’s 2012 Olympic bronze medal winner Yasner Toledo (4-1) shutout Carlos Adames, winning all five rounds on all three judges’ scorecards.  WSB #2 rated lightweight Toledo used a devastating body attack to defeat his Dominican Republic opponent.

(Photo by Emily Harney)

Cuba technically won the quarterfinals after the opening match in which Cuban light flyweight Yosbany Vettia (6-0) remained undefeated by winning a five-round split decision over USA’s previously unbeaten Anthony Chacon (2-1), of Puerto Rico. WSB #1 rated Vettia dropped WSB #5 Chacon with a right hook in round three.

(photo by Emily Harney)

Cuba’s #1 rated heavyweight Erislandy Savon (6-0) and USA bantamweightRamon Cardenas, of San Antonio (TX), won their matches by walkover.

Developed by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) in 2010, the World Series of Boxing is one of the most exciting emerging sport leagues in the world.  Bringing together the best boxers on the planet to compete in a team format across ten weight categories, the WSB represents a whole new way of thinking about boxing.

Being the world’s first truly global boxing league with franchises from four continents – Africa, America, Asia and Europe – the WSB promotes a transparent scoring system, bringing with it a much needed world-leading governance and commercial guidance to international boxing.

This unique team-versus-team approach has resulted in some of the most exciting clashes imaginable between the world’s top fighters on an International scale.  USA vs. Mexico, Germany vs. Italy, and Ukraine vs. Russia rank are amongst the major matches that boxing fans have been given the chance to enjoy through the past four seasons of WSB competition.

Team scoring is conducted, based on the outcome of five three-minute bouts, and WSB teams are in two groups, A and B.  Cuba qualified for the WSB Playoffs on top of Group B with a 9-1 record, while USA came in fourth in Group B at 4-6.

Former American boxer Dr. Wilbert “Skeeter” McClure, 1960 Olympic middleweight gold medalist in Rome, was a special guest.

Full results below: