Baku Fires beat Hussars Poland

Azerbaijan Baku Fires remain undefeated in Group A after a flawless victory over Hussars Poland at the Olympic Sports Center `Serhedchi`. Reigning World Series of Boxing (WSB) Individual Champions Gairbek Germakhanov and Ramazan Magomedau both recorded wins to add to those of Mikalai Vesialou, Uzeypat Ismailov and Albert Selimov, with the latter moving up to first in the Lightweight (57-61kg) rankings following another impressive display at home.

Germakhanov put in an accomplished performance in the night`s opening contest against Poland`s teenaged WSB debutant Grzegorz Kozlowski. 25-year-old Germakhanov, last season`s top ranked Bantamweight (50-54kg), went on the offensive from the very first round, dictating the tempo and moving well to apply constant pressure on his opponent. The Azeri orthodox fighter mixed it up throughout the five rounds, keeping Kozlowski at bay by a stiff jab before unleashing some precise combinations on the way to a victory that gave the hosts the early advantage in the match.

Russian 2007 AIBA World Champion Selimov, who linked up with the Azeri team this summer, then showcased his exquisite shot-making skills versus the Hussars` 24-year-old Jacek Wylezol in the Lightweight (57-61kg) bout. For four rounds the Pole put up a brave resistance against the experienced Selimov, who was throwing punches from all angles. In the fifth however the 26-year-old Russian stepped up his efforts and a huge swinging right hook connected flush on Wylezol`s chin, the Pole having to take a standing eight count. That flash of brilliance in the closing stages put the gloss on an electric performance from Selimov.

Hard-hitting 25-year-old Vesialou then extended his unbeaten WSB record to 4-0 after the Belarusian Middleweight (68-73kg) sensation overpowered Hussars Poland`s competition debutant Dawid Pac. The Azerbaijan southpaw moved well, soaking up pressure before picking his spots on the counter, his game plan worked to perfection as Pac could just not get to grips with him. Vesialou was just too powerful and when he connected, the young Pole was feeling it, and in the end it was another solid victory for the home team.

Reigning WSB Light Heavyweight (80-85kg) Champion Magomedau, astutely dealt with the threat posed by Poland`s tough Ukrainian Serhiy Radchenko in the penultimate contest of the evening. After dominating the first three rounds with his quick movement and quick feet, Magomedau knew that all he had to do was box clever on the counter and he did just that in the remaining two as Radchenko ran out of ideas. Magomedau`s twelfth WSB career win sending Azerbaijan 4-0 up on the night

It was a bruising encounter in the evening`s final battle, with the Fires` promising 23-year-old Heavyweight (91+kg) Ismailov locking horns with Poland`s slippery Belarusian Yan Sudzilouski. Each boxer connected with some powerful blows throughout, going toe-to-toe for most of the five rounds. It was very evenly matched with the two going into the final round almost level, however Ismailov did enough to edge it to make it impressive night`s work by Azerbaijan.
Poland next host Mexico Guerreros at the Hala Znicz Pruszkow on Friday 18 January whilst Azerbaijan now travel to Argentina to meet the Condors at the Club Social Y Deportivo the night after.


/AzerTAc/