Last year's runners-up the Ukraine Otamans would have needed no extra motivation when they turned up at the Arena Moscow and would have been keen to put on a show as relations between the two countries remain fraught with tension over the disputed Crimea region.

While the occasional cry of "Russia" or "Ukraine" could be heard inside the arena, the event passed off without any incident and was marked by "sportsmanship" according to International Boxing Federation (AIBA) President CK Wu, who attended the contest and will also be in Donetsk for the return leg on April 4.

"I think that the audience has really showed their support for both teams," said Wu.

However, inside the ring, the Otamans look to have it all to do if they want to progress to the semi-final after being crushed 4-1 by a dominant Russian Boxing Team.

Despite light flyweight Hasanboy Dusmatov claiming a win against Olympic bronze medallist David Ayrapetyan, the Otamans were outdone in the four remaining bouts, to leave the Russians needing only two more victories in the return leg.

Vladimir Nikitin, Radzhab Butaev, Artem Chebotarev and Evgeniy Tischenko all emerged victorious in Moscow.

AIBA President CK Wu attended the Russia versus Ukraine match along with Russian Olympic Committee President Alexander Zhukov ©WSB



Defending WSB champions the Astana Arlans Kazakhstan kept their title hopes on track after they overcame Team Germany 2-3 in Hanau during the first leg of their quarter-final clash.

The home side looked like they were going to pull off an upset and give themselves a more comfortable lead than expected to take to the second leg after taking a 2-1 lead through Artem Harutyunyan and Irishman Michael Conlan.

Harutyunyan overcame light welterweight opponent Askhat Ualikhanov in the bout of the match with both fighters giving their all throughout, but it was the German who prevailed in the end to take the win.

London 2012 bronze medallist Conlan put in an impressive performance at bantamweight to heavily outscore Meirbolat Toitov as the German team looked to be on a roll.

However, the Arlans regrouped and showed why they are the reigning champions and were led by the competition's most successful boxer ever, Sergiy Derevyanchenko.

The 23-fight veteran has only lost one bout in his WSB career and he blitzed his opponent Denis Radovan to get the Kazakhs back on track.

Temirtas Zhussupov was equally impressive against light flyweight opponent Ovidiu Berceanu, winning every single round on the judges' score cards, while heavyweight Vasilii Levit showed his class by overcoming Artur Mann.

The Arlans will now look to secure a semi-final spot when they host Team Germany at the Almaty Sports Palace on April 5.

The Azerbaijan Baku Fires had too much firepower for the Dolce & Gabbana Italia Thunder ©WSB



At the Guba Olympic Complex, the Azerbaijan Baku Fires lived up to their name as they proved too hot to handle for the Dolce & Gabbana Italia Thunder.

The Fires have all but guaranteed a semi-final berth after blowing the Italian team away 5-0 through impressive performances from Khamza Nametov, Magomed Gurbanov, Gaybatulla Gadzhialiyev, Khaybula Musalov and Abdulkadir Abdullayev.

The Azerbaijanis now have five chances to secure the one win they need to progress when they travel to Campione on April 5.

The first leg of the quarter-final clash between the USA Knockouts and Cuba Domadores was due to take place on Friday (March 28) but has been postponed due to a reported issue with eligibility of some boxers taking part.

A provisional date of April 11 or 12 has been set for the match while the second leg in Havana on April 4 will go ahead as planned.

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