#WSBV Day 12 – Albert Selimov qualifies for Rio 2016 as Azerbaijan Baku Fires beat USA Knockouts
12 April 2015
#WSBV Bak vs USA
World Series of Boxing (WSB) Season IV runners up Azerbaijan Baku Fires continued their impressive form in the fifth instalment of the competition as they whitewashed USA Knockouts 5-0 in Guba.
This was Azerbaijan’s fourth successive home victory, while the American Franchise have now lost five of their last six WSB matches.
Only four fights were held on the night as American Super heavyweight (91+ kg) Cam F. Awesome did not compete, which resulted in a walkover victory for Haji Murtuzaliyev.
The biggest success story of the evening was Azerbaijan’s Albert Selimov, who has qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games through WSB.
A 2007 AIBA World Champion, the number one ranked Lightweight (60 kg) now has a chance to add Olympic glory to an already glistening career after he defeated USA’s Carlos Balderas.
Selimov outworked the American youngster who impressed despite losing on points.
The fight was stopped at the end of the fourth round due to a head injury suffered by Balderas.
Now 6-0 in Season V, Selimov is three points ahead of second ranked Cuban Lazaro Alvarez and crucially ten points ahead of third placed Russian Adlan Abdurashidov.
This unassailable points lead means that the Azeri fighter has reached Rio with one match of the Regular Season to go.
USA’s Brent Venegas III saw his Olympic hopes falter after losing by split decision to Flyweight (52 kg) Murad Rabadanov in the first bout of the evening.
Rabadanov edged the narrow bout 49-46 and 48-47 on two scorecards, while the American youngster was awarded a 48-47 score according to the third judge.
Fourth ranked Azeri Welterweight (69 kg) Parviz Baghirov then enjoyed a comfortable victory over American Brian Ceballo to seal the overall win for Azerbaijan.
The 5-0 scoreline was assured in the last bout at Light heavyweight (81 kg) when 3-2 home star Soltan Migitinov widely outpointed Steve Nelson.
Azerbaijan Baku Fires visit Puerto Rico Hurricanes next week, while USA Knockouts travel to Rafako Hussars Poland.
