WSB Team Finalist - Astana Arlans

The Astana Arlans qualified for the semi-finals as the best second placed team overall, two points clear of Dolce & Gabbana Milano Thunder, who had been hot on the Arlans' heels for most of the season. In the tough Asian conference, however, the Astana Arlans on the same number of points as European conference leaders Paris United, but won more individual bouts overall (44 compared with 39 for Paris United).

In the semi-finals, the team had to withstand an all-out assault from the Los Angeles Matadors on the first leg in the home ring at the Daulet Sports Complex in Astana, with the Matadors sending their strongest team on the long journey.

But on the night, 2007 World Champion Rau'Shee Warren was the only Los Angeles boxer able to edge ahead to a win as the 24 year-old southpaw took a split decision victory. After that, the home boxers showed their strength, with only half of the remaining four bouts going the full distance. Mighty Kanat Slam, the Beijing bronze medallist from China who assumed Kazakh nationality to join the team, once again proved unstoppable as he achieved his third win in four this season inside the 15 minutes.

On the return leg in Los Angeles, the Astana Arlans were undaunted by the star-studded line-up of Hollywood celebrities cheering on the home boxers. But the match was nevertheless much closer. After 2009 World Championship quarter-finalist Kanat Abutalipov opened the scoring for the visitors to extend his unbeaten record for the season, the Matadors replied with two consecutive wins to keep their hopes of qualification alive.

But once light heavyweight Marat Moldagereyev took the light heavyweight contest by unanimous decision, it was left to Istvan Bernath to seal the Astana Arlans qualification for the WSB finals. The Hungarian had been absent from the squad since week one, but returned in style to win his second consecutive bout on only his second match this season as he dismissed Javier "The Monster" Torres on a split decision.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• wsb
• World Series of Boxing
• boxing
• aiba
• Astana Arlans
• world series boxing

[Aikalyaka]

Astana Arlans is the best! All Kazakhstan are proud of u guys!!! Show to Paris United who is the best!!!!

[Patsha777]

Qanat Slam is phenomenal, Wow! Wish him all the best!

[dzhokish]

Astana arlans best of the best!!!

[TheAyat97]

Баршын деп айкайламайсынба?+10000000

[Marjan910]

love you,hanat