Azerbaijan Baku Fires Head Coach: The Championship is our constant goal
12 June 2014
WSB 2013-14
Azerbaijan Baku Fires head coach Nuripasha Talibov believes that despite a sickening sudden-death loss in the WSB Season IV Final to Cuba Domadores in their hometown, his boxers can draw many positives from an incredible season.
“We went out of the tournament at the final; we showed the highest result from our performances in our entire history in this series. But, honestly speaking, we didn’t want to stop there, we wanted to win,” said Talibov, who also thanked the supporters of the team for their constant support throughout the series.
“(The team) fought to the limit, but we didn’t reach our goal. Overall, we took second place amongst such strong teams, very honorable. But, I am not happy with the result. I’m a maximalist. The championship – it’s our constant goal.”
The Cuban team had won the first leg 3-2 but the Baku Fires managed to reverse that score in the second stanza which meant both sides stood level at 5-5, setting up a sudden death bout between a welterweights (69kgs) Yauheni Ramashkevich for the Fires and The Domodores’ Arisnoydis Despaigne.
The Cuban prevailed, giving his side the title in their inaugural season but Talibov was graceful in accepting the Domadores’ dominance as well as championing his own batch of proud finalists.
“To begin with, we lost to a stronger rival. Cuba is the boxing power, they have in their make-up champions of the World and of the Olympic Games. I cannot reproach anything in our guys. They gave it every last bit. We have boxers who didn’t go out to the ring, but fully supported the others, helped during training. We were one team, therefore we got to the final.
“I wouldn’t say that we were weaker. Here a lot depends on courage, luck. In the group stages the Cubans all won with nil scores and only with us they had any problems (both matches ended with a score of 2:3 – Red). We lacked a little attention. Everything was correct. Those who came out to the ring were fully prepared. It was unlucky.”
Magomedrasul Medzhidov was a notable absentee from the Fires line up as he hadn’t regained full fitness following an eight month lay-off from the end the world championships but Talibov refused to acknowledge that as a factor in the defeat.
“We are waiting for an inside team meeting, in which we can clear everything up. There it’s essential we thank everyone, and then already discuss further actions. The defeat in the final made a big impression. Putting it honestly, it’s better to become third than second.”