#WSBV – Day 2 Knockouts, upsets and injuries help Ukraine Otamans remain undefeated at the British Lionhearts expense
24 January 2015
#WSBV UKR vs BRITS
After victory for both Ukraine Otamans and British Lionhearts in their opening Group A matches, the second week bout between the two undefeated sides was eagerly anticipated.
A night of
incredible action ultimately ended with a 3-2 victory for Ukraine Otamans, which kept them undefeated and gave British Lionhearts their first defeat of Season V.
The Acco International Center in Kiev was the venue for this titanic tussle, which began with one of the biggest shocks in the history of the World Series of Boxing (WSB).
British Lionhearts Flyweight (52 kg) and two-time AIBA World Championships medalist Andrew Selby entered his match with Ukraine’s Azat Usenaliev defending a 9-0 WSB record, and a reputation as one of the best fighters in the world.
Four rounds later, Selby’s undefeated record was destroyed after he was pulled out after an eye injury.
Selby still would have lost had he managed to finish the bout, as he was behind by large margins on every scorecard, and Usenaliev deserves many plaudits for his excellent performance.
A close Lightweight (60 kg) contest followed, which saw Oleg Prudkyi defeated Lionheart Joseph Cordina on points.
Welterweight (69 kg) Haizel Ekow Tabiri-Essuman then pulled back a priceless victory for the Lionhearts when he won via split decision against Bogdan Shelestyuk.
The Otamans continued their assault however, and won the night in the fourth fight, with European Junior Championships silver medallist Oleksandr Khyzhniak stopping Aston Brown in the second round of their Light heavyweight (81 kg) contest.
Powerful Super heavyweight (91+ kg) Joseph Joyce then clawed back a valuable point for British Lionhearts in the final fight of the evening, as he sensationally stopped Viktor Vykhrest in round two.
Both Franchises return to action next weekend, with Ukraine Otamans looking to keep their undefeated run going away against China Dragons, while British Lionhearts also compete abroad, as they travel to Africa to face Morocco Atlas Lions.
