Zhussupov and Amankul won their contests against the Cubans in the first part of the WSB Finals

The first part of the Finals of the World Series Boxing was held in the Xiamen Sports School Gymnasium in Xiamen, China today. Reigning WSB Team Champion Astana Arlans Kazakhstan had to meet in the final with their old rivals the Cuba Domadores in Xiamen. The first match was a close 3-2 success for the Cubans but Astana Arlans Kazakhstan has got still chance to turn back the WSB Final in the second encounter on Friday.

Astana Arlans Kazakhstan vs. Cuba Domadores 2-3
Astana Arlans Kazakhstan eliminated British Lionhearts in the WSB Semi-finals of Season VIII which was a repeat match after Season VI and VII. Astana Arlans Kazakhstan won that semi-final in May and after fourth month later they met with Cuba Domadores in the repeat WSB Final after 2017.
Astana Arlans Kazakhstan’s Amman 2013 ASBC Asian Champion Temirtas Zhussupov impressed in the first bout of the WSB Finals in Xiamen. The light flyweight (49kg) boxer showed better footwork than Cuba Domadores’ Damian Arce and she controlled their bout with her speed. Zhussupov won his 14th WSB bout during his career and defeated the previously unbeaten Cuban in the opening bout.
Astana Arlans Kazakhstan’s Asian Games winner Ilyas Suleimenov was the favourite against Cuba Domadores’ debutant Osvel David Caballero at the bantamweight (56kg) but he was not enough shape and suffered an unexpected loss. Astana Arlans Kazakhstan’s light welterweight (64kg) boxer Dilmurat Mizhitov proved strong performance against an unbeaten star AIBA World Champion Andy Cruz and he was near to beat his Cuban rival. The final verdict was split decision to Cruz but Mizhitov exceeded the expectations with his fighting spirit and tactical development.
Astana Arlans Kazakhstan’s top middleweight (75kg) boxer Abilkhan Amankul is only 21 but he is an experienced hope in the World Series of Boxing. Amankul controlled his bout against Cuba Domadores’ Osley Iglesias in Xiamen using his better footwork and speed which meant he was able to take his 9th WSB success during his career. Kazakhstan’s heavyweight (91kg) boxer Nurbol Altayev tried to reduce the fighting distance against Cuba Domadores’ star Erislandy Savon but his opponent controlled their heavyweight (91kg) bout from longer distance.

Final Results
Astana Arlans Kazakhstan vs. Cuba Domadores 2-3
49kg: Temirtas Zhussupov KAZ – Damian Arce CUB 3-0
56kg: Ilyas Suleimenov KAZ – Osvel David Caballero CUB 0-3
64kg: Dilmurat Mizhitov KAZ – Andy Cruz CUB 1-2
75kg: Abilkhan Amankul KAZ – Osley Iglesias CUB 3-0
91kg: Nurbol Altayev KAZ – Erislandy Savon CUB 0-3

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