By Tom Degun

Gairbek Germakhanov_June_7June 7 - Five of the ten fighters that will compete for glory in the World Series of Boxing (WSB) individual championships this weekend took time out of their busy schedules to visit the legendary West Ham Boxing Club in London to share experiences and tips with over 40 local boxers (pictured below).


The WSB, owned by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) and currently the only professional boxing competition in the world that allows fighters to retain their Olympic eligibility, will see individual finals taking place this Saturday (June 9), marking the conclusion of season two.

The top two ranked boxers in each of the five WSB weight categories of bantamweight (54kg), lightweight (61kg), middleweight (73kg), light heavyweight (85kg) and heavyweight (91+kg) will compete at the ExCeL, the London 2012 boxing venue, to be crowned champion.

It was bantamweight Gairbek Germakhanov (pictured above) of the Baku Fires, lightweight Adlan Abdurashidov of the Moscow Dynamo, middleweight Heybulla Mursalov of the Baku Fires and light heavyweight pair Azamat Murtuzaliyev and Ramazan Magomedau, both of the Baku Fires, who made the trip to the West Ham Boxing Club ahead of their respective finals.

Hidden in a small street in East London, West Ham Boxing Club has produced over 150 national champions in the past 20 years, including the likes of Mark Kaylor.

The five fighters completed a work out with the locals – aged from as young as six to well into their thirties – and also took part in a session demonstrating elite level training.

After the work out, the boxers gave away t-shirts, gloves and equipment and posed for pictures.

"It is amazing for our kids to welcome in their club boxers of that stature, especially in such a deprived area," said Mick May, the club's head coach.

West Ham_Boxing_Club_boxers_June_7
"These kids need to dream and to have idols to look up to helps them to keep on working hard and improving their boxing skills.

"Azerbaijani and Russian boxers are probably, at the moment, the best in the world and it was a privilege to have them with us.

"It was a fantastic idea to have these elite guys come to our club.

"I wish they could come more often."

Mursalov, who is narrow favourite to secure the middleweight WSB crown at the weekend, admitted it had been a pleasure to visit the West Ham Boxing Club.

"I really enjoyed this training session, it was very special," he said.

"The place, the people, everything was fantastic.

"I was really impressed by some of the young kids.

"In Azerbaijan, you do not find many parents who want to have their kids to take up boxing this early.

"It is a shame because it is important to start as soon as possible if you want to have a successful career in your chosen sport.

"Here you really feel that boxing is part of the culture and seeing these kids was an unforgettable experience."

Tomorrow will see the WSB weigh-in take place in one of London's most famous landmarks when it commences in Covent Garden at 2pm local time in an event that is free to the public.

Click here to order tickets for the WSB Individual Championships.

To watch broadcast live fights click here.

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