There is all to fight for at the International Boxing Association tournament, which offers 17 qualification berths for the Rio 2016 Olympics Games.

Group A features defending champions Cuba Domadores, last season's semi-finalists the Russian Boxing Team and Season III runners-up Ukraine Otamans, as well as the British Lionhearts, the Mexico Guerreros and the Algeria Desert Hawks.

A new franchise in the form of the Atlas Lions Moroccan Boxing Team, which are being tipped as an impressive squad, and a revamped China Dragons complete the group line-up.

The Cuba Domadores were the number one seeds in the draw, which sees them starting the season at home against Morocco in week one, while the Russian Boxing Team will start the season at home to Algeria.

The Mexico Guerreros will face a tricky opening tie away in Ukraine, as will the China Dragons who will go up against Britain, Russia, Ukraine and Cuba in their first four matches.

Last season's finalists the Azerbaijan Baku Fires will be looking to go one further at Season V of the World Series of Boxing ©WSB


Group B, meanwhile, includes the Argentina Condors, a new franchise from Venezuela and last season's finalists the Azerbaijan Baku Fires, who will be looking to go one further this time round.

Also featuring in the group are the Astana Arlans Kazakhstan, Italia Thunder - one of the most successful franchises in WSB history - and the USA Knockouts.

A new franchise from Puerto Rico, which has the highest index in terms of world boxing champions per capita on the planet, and the Hussars Poland, who suffered a disappointing season last year, complete Group B.

WSB Season V starts this Thursday (January 15) at 8pm local time at London's York Hall, with British Lionhearts taking on China Dragons.

A full competition schedule can be found here. 

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