WSB 2013-14 Day2: USA 3-2 Argentina

USA vs ARG WSB 13-14DAY2

This tight affair showcased all the excitement that the World Series of Boxing (WSB) stands for! The Miccosukee Casino Resort & Gaming in Miami, Florida staged its first match of the season as the USA Knockouts faced fellow American team, the Argentina Condors. In the WSB’s closest fought match yet this season, fans were on the edge of their seats as the bout went right down to the wire. The USA’s Middleweight Boxer, Caleb Plant was the hero of the hour as his domination of Tomas Andres Reynoso saw the Knockouts take a critical victory in Group A.

The atmosphere rich event showcased the Light Flyweight (46-49kg), Bantamweight (56kg), Light Welterweight (64kg), Middleweight (75kg) and Heavyweight (91kg) categories.

Bout of the match
This section had to go to the match-deciding Middleweight tear up. Going into the bout, the overall score sat at 2-2 and this meant that the outcome of the night was sitting in the hands of the Knockout’s Caleb Plant and the Condor’s Tomas Andres Reynoso. The excitement in the crowd was palpable for the upcoming decider. The bout was an aggressive if not slightly bad tempered affair with Plant proving early on that his regular scoring and well-aimed punches may outweigh the Argentinean’s own offensive capacities. Reynoso lacked cohesion against his stronger opponent and through frustration resorted to dirty tactics half way through the bout, which led to a warning. By the third round, the match was clearly in the hands of the Knockouts’ fighter and the unanimous 3:0 win from Plant led the USA team to the evening’s victory.

Boxer of the match
This was almost certainly the Argentinean Bantamweight Alberto Ezequiel Melian. Despite his team losing the match overall, Melian’s gruelling, hard fought contest over the Knockouts’ Steve Fulton was a brilliant showcase of sportsmanship.  The fight was a crowd pleaser with the first two rounds clearly won by Melian. The contest looked close in the third as Fulton fought back; the boxer, who is not usually known for his punches, threw a powerful left hook which led to a standing eight count for the Argentinean.  The contest continued in a nail biting fourth round as Melian grew in strength and fought back. After another left hook from Fulton, Melian retaliated to deliver a dangerous right hand that forced Fulton to the ground. This unanimous 0:3 point win to Melian took the Condors score equal to the USA’s, as the match went into the Light Welterweight category sitting at one all.

Fact/Stat of the match
Fighting for the Condors in the Light Flyweight category, Brazilian Boxer Patrick Lourenco is the first non-Argentinean to represent the Condors in their short, two season history.

Wrap up
Knockouts Flyweight Anthony Chacon took an obvious win over the Condor’s Patrick Lourenco after keeping the bout under his control for the full five rounds. Chacon who also ranks sixth in the AIBA World Ranking clearly outshone his opponent in a unanimous 3:0 point win. The Boxer’s lively, smart movements proved too much for Lourenco who lacked accuracy and wasted energy with repeated swipes into the air.

The Light Welterweight division was another clear win for the Knockouts with Luis Romero Alday Jr. proving his stead. Despite having two points deducted for losing his gum shield on four different occasions, the tactical boxer out-gunned the Condors’ Alberto Palmetta in a 3:0 win for the USA. Palmetta clearly struggled with the longer boxing format in the WSB competitions and was exhausted by the end.

In the Heavyweight category, the Condors took a walkover victory following the unfortunate withdrawal of both the first pick and reserve USA Knockouts boxers Josh Taylor and Xuanxuan Wang respectively.

Quote of the match
“The team is coming together, we have a mix of talented athletes. It is a very strong international team, but we have to take one match at a time. We have to use our strategy to line up well against all of our opponents to ultimately reach the Playoffs”, said USA Knockouts General Manager and USA Boxing Executive Director, Anthony Bartkowski

Coming up next
Both the USA Knockouts and Argentina Condors face tough rivals in the Week 3 with away matches against two of the series’ most consistent teams. The Knockouts are up against the Algeria Desert Hawks in Blida and the Condors head to Brovary to take on the Ukraine Otamans.

Catch up!
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