Set against the wider international crisis between the two countries over the disputed Crimea region, both sets of fighters would have been keen to strike a blow for their respective countries, but it was the Russians who emerged as the superior force inside the ring.

Leading 4-1 from the first leg in Moscow, the away side repeated that performance to secure their semi-final berth on a scoreline of 8-2.

Despite Azat Usenaliev giving the Otamans hope with a flyweight win over Bakhtovar Nazirov, the Russian machine clicked into gear and saw victories for welterweight Alexander Besputin, light-heavyweight Eduard Yakushev and super heavyweight Maxim Babanin.

Home fighter Pavlo Ishchenko was involved in the bout of the match with Dmitriy Polyanskiy and both entered the final round all square on the judges' scorecards, but the wily Russian did. enough in the final stretch to take the win.

The Russians will now face the winners of the Cuda Domadores and USA Knockouts match and it is looking like it will be the Cubans who will provide the opposition.

Russia saw off the challenge of last year's WSB runners-up Ukraine to advance to the semi-final of this season's competition ©WSB


The much anticipated clash finally got underway in Havana after the first leg was postponed in Florida on March 28 due to confusion over the eligibility of some boxers.

The Ciudad Deportiva was packed to its 16,000 capacity for the match and witnessed a superb showing from the home side as they blitzed the Knockouts 5-0 to place one foot firmly in the semi-finals.

The night got off to a disappointing start however, as the Knockouts' Eros Correa failed to make the weight for his flyweight contest, handing a walkover victory to Gerardo Cervantes.

The atmosphere was soon recharged though as double World Champion and Olympic bronze medallist Lazaro Alvarez delighted the home fans by overcoming Luis Arcon Diaz in what was a class display of boxing skills.

Alvarez and Diaz were at each other from the first bell but the Cuban prevailed, taking each round on the scorecards.

London 2012 champion Roniel Iglesias Sotolongo saw off the challenge of the unbeaten Gabriel Maestre in the welterweight division after unleashing a vicious uppercut that downed his opponent in round three and handed him the victory.

The USA Knockouts' Gabriel Maestre hits the canvas during his bout with Cuba's Roniel Iglesias Sotolongo in Havana ©WSB



The Knockouts Mohammed Sallah also arrived in Havana unbeaten this season but that record was soon ended by his 19-year-old opponent Yoandi Toirac who outclassed the more experienced Swede to take the win in the super heavyweight contest.

That followed the light heavyweight bout between the Domadores' Emilio Correa and Michel Borges de Souza, which saw the home fighter emerge with a relatively comfortable points win.

The Domadores only need one more win to advance to the semi-finals in their debut season when they travel to Salem, New Hampshire for the return leg on April 12.

The remaining semi-final places will be decided tomorrow tonight when the Azerbaijan Baku Fires, who lead 5-0 from the first leg, travel to the Casino Campione to take on the Dolce & Gabbana Italia Thunder.

While the Fires are all but guaranteed to advance, the identity of their semi-final opponent remains in the balance.

The Almaty Palace will be the stage as defending champions Astana Arlans Kazakhstan welcome Team Germany with the match delicately poised 3-2 in the home side's favour.

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