As the President of the International Boxing Association (AIBA) and chairman of the World Series of Boxing (WSB) Board, I am feeling very proud today, on the eve of the WSB Season IV quarter-finals.

Since its inception in 2010, the competition has gone from strength to strength and is now viewed as one of the most exciting emerging sports leagues in the world.

Represented in four continents, the unique concept of the WSB has successfully drawn together National Franchises from all of the major boxing markets around the world. The recent addition of the Cuban national team, in the shape of the Cuba Domadores, typifies the development of the league.

Nowadays, all the very best of AIBA boxers are competing in the WSB. Amongst them, 26 participated in the London 2012 Olympic Games of which 16 won medals. Thirty-one of the 40 medallists from the Almaty 2013 AIBA World Boxing Championships have participated in Season IV, and nine out of the 10 current World Champions compete in the competition.

Now, after 10 highly exciting weeks of outstanding boxing in the regular season, the top eight teams of this fourth season have entered the playoffs. And in just two months' time, one of them will get the privilege of being crowned the 2013/2014 WSB Champion.

Defending champions Arlans Astana Kazakhstan look like a dangerous prospect again this year ©LatinContent/Getty Images



The defending Champions, the Astana Arlans Kazakhstan, won Season III in imperious fashion but were pushed very close in the finals by the Ukraine Otamans. Both teams have progressed to the quarter-finals again this year. Having won seven of their 10 matches in the regular season, amassing 22 points in the process, the Arlans look like a dangerous prospect again this year. The unveiling of their latest addition to the team, World Champion and 2013 AIBA Best Boxer Daniyar Yeleussinov, in the final week of the regular season, has only strengthened their hand.

As for the Otamans, despite all the turbulence the athletes have faced on the home-front in recent months, they have remained as clinical as ever between the ropes. This just underlines exactly how professional and focused these guys are in their approach to their ring-craft. They are just as capable as anyone else of going all the way this year.

Elsewhere, the German team has been in top form this season. The Eagles have a strong line-up across all 10 WSB weight categories. Star boxer Erik Pfeifer remains unbeaten at super heavyweight (91+kg) and the World bronze medallist will comfortable leading this team out against anyone put in front of him.

German Erik Pfeifer (right) remains unbeaten at super heavyweight ©World Series Boxing



Then there are the Russians. Pre-season, most of the coaches at the official draw were openly discussing how strong the Russian boxing team looked this year. Their concerns have proven to be justified. Even when the Russians allowed their fringe boxers to compete this year, they looked dangerous. With their take-no-prisoners style of fighting, they are clearly one of the best teams in the WSB.

Azerbaijan Baku Fires brazenly predicted that they would make it to the playoffs at the beginning of the season, but their instincts seem to have been correct. They are fearless, talented (and as one of the teams to have competed in all four WSB seasons to date), experienced. This is a dangerous combination for whoever comes out against them.

Featuring one of the most exciting international line-ups, the Season II winners Dolce & Gabbana Italia Thunder have almost inevitably made it into the playoffs again. With talent in their ranks from the UK, France and even as far away as the Philippines, the Group A leaders have the resources to draw upon to compete against anyone in the world.

Exploding into the WSB this year, the Cuba Domadores have been a boxing sensation. With a line-up comprising of multiple World and Olympic medallists, the Cubans look to be a class above the rest. Winning 41 of their 50 bouts so far, the Cubans were statistically the most successful team in the regular season.

Statistically the most successful team in the regular season, the Cuba Domadores look to be a class above the rest ©LatinContent/Getty Images



The USA Knockouts' talent scouts were obviously hard at work in the pre-season last year. That is the only thing that can explain the stunning emergence of such a group of young boxers and their untapped talent. The US coaches seem to have specialised in bringing in highly talented boxers who have somehow flown under the radar of other teams. World bronze medallist Gabriel Maestre is a prime example at welterweight (69kg). The Venezuelan has shot up the WSB rankings in his debut season and is now the number three ranked boxer in the category.

All in all, as you can see, the Season IV playoffs should be our most exciting to date. I, and the global boxing family, are looking forward to it.

C K Wu is the AIBA President and an International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board member