World Series of Boxing

The World Series of Boxing or WSB was an international boxing tournament that allowed amateur boxers to compete professionally while maintaining amateur status and Olympic eligibility. It was organized by AIBA from 2010 to 2018. AIBA confirmed in 2019 that the league had ceased operations amid mounting financial losses.[1]

Not to be confused with World Boxing Super Series.
LA Matadors vs. Moscow Dynamo in Hollywood, CA on 4 December 2011. Both amateur boxers compete without vests or head guards.

History

The World Series of Boxing had a precursor in the International Boxing League, a short-lived U.S. venture established in November 1969 after the first U.S.—Soviet boxing dual meet in 1969. The league functioned until 1971 and hosted several exhibition tours of the Soviet boxing team across the United States to cities where IBL teams were located. Bill Daniels was the boss of the league. The league folded due to the unprofitable nature of amateur boxing in North America.

Format

Unlike in amateur boxing at the start of the World Series of Boxing's existence, competitors fought bare-chested and were not permitted to wear protective headgear. Each participating boxer was drafted by one of its international franchises, and could earn money by taking part in professional-style bouts. The competitors were allowed to maintain Olympic and AIBA world championship eligibility.

Like professional boxing, each bout was decided by the scores of three judges, or by a knockout, a technical knockout or a walkover. A WSB meet between two international franchises consisted of bouts in ten (formerly five) weight categories. The fights consisted of five three-minute rounds in each bout and the team that won the most number of bouts won the meet.[2]

Weight classes

Until season 4, the World Series of Boxing had five weight categories which were different from the 10 categories in amateur (Olympic) boxing or 17 categories in professional boxing. These were Heavyweight (91+ kg), Light heavyweight (80–85 kg), Middleweight (68–73 kg), Lightweight (57–61 kg) and Bantamweight (50–54 kg). In the fourth season (2013–14), the number of weight classes was increased to ten, mirroring amateur (Olympic) boxing.

Teams

Results
SeasonTeamsWinnersRunners-upFinal score
2010–11 12 France Paris United Kazakhstan Astana Arlans 6–4
2011–12 12 Italy D&G Milano Thunder Russia Dynamo Moscow 4–1
2012–13 12 Kazakhstan Astana Arlans Ukraine Ukraine Otamans 6–5
2013–14 12 Cuba Cuba Domadores Azerbaijan Baku Fires 6–5
2015 16 Kazakhstan Astana Arlans Cuba Cuba Domadores 6–4
2016 16 Cuba Cuba Domadores United Kingdom British Lionhearts 9–1
2017 12 Kazakhstan Astana Arlans Cuba Cuba Domadores 6–5
2018 12 Cuba Cuba Domadores Kazakhstan Astana Arlans 7–3

Performance by club
Performance in the WSB finals by club
Club Winners Runners-up Winning years Runners-up years
Kazakhstan Astana Arlans32
2012–13, 2015, 2017
2010–11, 2018
Cuba Cuba Domadores32
2013–14, 2016, 2018
2015, 2017
France Paris United10
2010–11
—
Italy D&G Milano Thunder10
2011–12
—
Russia Dynamo Moscow01
–
2011–12
Ukraine Ukraine Otamans01
–
2012–13
Azerbaijan Baku Fires01
–
2013–14
United Kingdom British Lionhearts01
–
2016

See also

References
  1. Morgan, Liam. "World Series of Boxing set to collapse as AIBA confirm event is "inactive"". insidethegames.biz. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  2. "About WSB - World Series of Boxing". Archived from the original on February 11, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
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