By Paul Osborne

Baku is set to host the WSB Season Four Finals ©WSBBaku will host the World Series of Boxing (WSB) Season Four Finals after the Ukrainian Otamans franchise withdrew its plan to stage the event due to the ongoing tensions in the country.

The announcement comes after acceptance of an offer by the Azerbaijan Baku Fires, finalists of this year's Series, and is another boost to the city as it prepares to host the inaugural European Games next year. 

"I am very pleased that we have found a host city at this late stage after Ukraine withdrew its intention to host the Finals," said International Boxing Association (AIBA) President and WSB Board chairman C K Wu.

"Baku has already hosted several AIBA and WSB competitions and we are very confident with the Azeri's franchise's ability to successfully organize and manage this important event.

"We sincerely appreciate the kind support expressed by the Azerbaijan Baku Fires in such a difficult situation and we look forward to two exciting nights of world-class boxing."

The Cuba Domadores powered to a 5-0 thrashing of the Russian Boxing Club in the second leg of the WSB semi-final to book their spot in next month's final ©WSBThe Cuba Domadores powered to a 5-0 thrashing of the Russian Boxing Club in the second leg of the WSB semi-final to book their spot in next month's final ©WSB


The final will take place on the new dates of Friday June 5 and Saturday June 6 after being originally scheduled for May 30 and 31.

Before the offer from the Baku Fires was accepted, the WSB approached the Cuba Domadores, to ensure their acceptance with this change of date and venue.

The Domadores, who will face the Baku Fires following a superb debut season in the WSB, provided WSB with their positive feedback, emphasising at the same time that they were fully convinced of the capacity of Baku Fires to organise a top-level event.

To book their spots in this Season Four final, the Baku Fires came from 3-2 behind to defeat the Astana Arlans Kazakhstan, whilst the Domadores thrashed the Russian Boxing Club 5-0 on home soil to march to an 8-2 victory over their Russian opponents.

It is not yet known what venue the Finals will be held in, with the Baku Fires' previous encounters taking place at the Guba Olympic Complex, in Guba.

Baku did host the 2011 AIBA World Boxing Championships, with Heydar Aliyev Sports and Exhibition Complex playing host to that particular event.

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