Derevyanchenko of Dolce & Gabbana Milano Thunder won with a unanimous decision over Azerbaijan's Soltan Migitinov of the Baku Fires, scoring 68-64, 68-64, 69-63 after seven punishing rounds.

Derevyanchenko dominated the contest, keeping Migitinov on the ropes for a full 15 seconds at the end of the third round, then scoring a knock-down in the final round.

"This was a tough fight and I'm delighted with the Olympic qualification," he said after picking up the first prize of $20,000 (£12,000) awarded to all the individual champions.

"I could feel that the bout was something special and I hope we gave the crowd a good show."

Benchabla, who boxes for the Pohang Poseidons, brought down the curtain on the first WSB season with a consummate display against France's Ludovic Groguhe of Paris United in the light heavyweight contest.


He took the WSB individual light heavyweight world title with a win by unanimous decision, 69-64, 68-65, 68-65.

It looked like the fight might not last the seven rounds as Groguhe exploded out of his corner at the start of the bout, but it was Benchabla who took control of the first four rounds.

Some taunting and dancing by Benchabla in the fourth round seemed to stir Groguhe into a response in the fifth, which he won. By the sixth round, though, it was clear that only a knock-out could win the fight for Groguhe.

"I am the first WSB world champion at this weight and I'm proud that my name and my country will go down in the WSB history," Benchabla said.

"I'm also proud to be the first champion from Africa.

"It was the fact that I could be the first Algerian to qualify for the London 2012 Olympic Games that spurred me on to victory tonight."

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