WSB Announces Ukrainian Deal for Further Franchises

The World Series of Boxing (WSB) have reached an agreement with the Ukrainian Boxing Federation that elevates the number of WSB Franchises for the upcoming season to 14. 

This follows the recent signing with the Argentinean Boxing Federation.

The agreement was signed by Dr Ching-Kuo Wu, AIBA President and WSB Board Chairman and Mr Vladimir Prodyvus, President of the FBU, the Ukrainian Boxing Federation. On this occasion, the WSB was introduced to the local media with the presence of newly crowned WSB Team Champion Dolce & Gabbana Milano Thunder assistant coach Sergiy Korchinskiy, Bantamweight Vitaliy Volkov (7-3) and two-time Middleweight WSB World Champion Sergiy Derevyanchenko (13-0).

“Ukraine is one of the World’s true boxing powerhouses and we are absolutely thrilled to welcome their Franchise to the World Series of Boxing”, stated Dr Wu. “I am convinced that this is only the very first step of the involvement of the Ukrainian Boxing Federation in AIBA’s projects, especially with the AIBA Professional Boxing (APB) that begins in the fall of 2013. We look forward to working closely together.”

This visit to Ukraine was also an opportunity for Dr Wu to meet with Mr Ravil Safiullin, the Ukrainian Minister of Sports. The AIBA President explained how impressed he was by the success of the UEFA EURO 2012 that is currently being held in the country, co-hosted with Poland. He also mentioned the importance Ukraine has on the boxing landscape, referring to the four gold and one silver medal claimed by their boxers at the last AIBA World Boxing Championships Baku 2011.

Mr Safiullin confirmed that boxing was one of the most important sports in the country and declared that he was hoping for a fair contingent of medals at the upcoming London 2012 Olympic Games. 

Finally the Ukrainian Minister of Sports added: “With the Euro, we showed the World that Ukraine is more than capable of hosting big sporting events. Our country needs to carry in this way and we very much look forward to welcoming APB and AIBA competitions here soon.”