The weights are in for Friday's doubleheader in Moscow, Russia. Undefeated Polish contender Andrzej Wawrzyk (27-0, 13 KOs) will attempt to capture the WBA "regular" heavyweight championship from Alexander Povetkin (25-0, 17 KOs). Wawrzyk weighed in at 232.5-pounds, while Povetkin was 228.3.

In the co-feature, also for the WBA world championship but at cruiserweight - champion Denis Lebedev (25-1, 19 KOs) of Russia came in at 199.2-pounds, while the manadatory challenger from Panama, Guillermo Jones (38-3-2, 30 KOs) was slightly lighter and came in at 198.8.

"I'm excellent and ready to go. Povetkin likes to box at the middle distance, and he is able to counter-attack quickly, so I have to work non-stop in the ring. I think that I have enough stamina to do that. I plan to attack from the very first round. It's a fight for the championship belt, and I will do everything in my power to win the title," Wawrzyk said.

Rzeszow, Poland, 20/04/2013 - It wasn't a satisfying night of fistic joy for rising Polish heavyweight star Artur Szpilka (14-0, 11 KOs). On paper it was the first (or the second - depending on the certain rules of the local federation) round stoppage, however, the Pole's opponent Taras Bidenko (28-6, 12 KOs) retired on his stool between the stanzas due to a right leg injury.

Szpilka, a flamboyant and cocky character, came in with a very hard win over Mike Mollo earlier this year, in which he was forced to lift himself up a couple of times to get a huge knockout win. The 24-year old Pole from Wieliczka picked up from where he left and immediately pressed forward. The Ukrainian, who wasn't seen in the ring for over a year, was dominated, looked lost and boxed on unsteady feet. Moreover, his balance turned even worse when he twisted his right leg during the round. Bidenko fought through until the bell but was forced to quit between the rounds.

WBA/IBF #2 rated cruiserweight Pawel Kolodziej (31-0, 17 KOs) stayed busy in his wait of a huge fight or an occasional shot at the cruiserweight title by outpointing aging former light heavyweight interim champion Richard Hall of Jamaica over eight non-eventful rounds. Jab was a primary weapon for the Polish contender as he kept throwing it time and again against the faded opponent, who looked weary and rusty.

Kolodziej was in full control of the fight, whilst Hall did everything to survive, and survival was his only goal. The Pole had a big opening round, put Hall down with a corker of a right hook in the fourth and was close to get the stoppage in the closing rounds. Final scores were 80-71 (twice) and 80-68 - for Kolodziej.

WBO #8 super featherweight Kamil Laszczyk (13-0, 6 KOs) was forced to work hard in order to score a wide unanimous decision over rugged countryman Krzysztof Rogowski (5-3, 2 KOs). Rogowski was down in the sixth round.

WBO #6 rated cruiserweight (also ranked #15 by the IBF) Krzysztof Glowacki (19-0, 12 KOs) survived some hard moments en route to a good win over the Luxembourg-based Gabonese Taylor Mabika (9-2, 4 KOs). Southpaw Glowacki put his man down with a good counter left hook in the second round, but Mabika (now 0-2 in his last couple of fights) came strong as the fight progressed. It wasn't enough to get him a win but he looked pretty strong and effective to trouble Glowacki from time to time. Official scores were 78-74, 78-73 and 80-71 - for Krzysztof Glowacki. BoxingScene had it 77-74 - also for the Pole.

His recent impressive performance at Polsat Boxing Night, and a great attitude while sparring with Mikkel Kessler (46-2, 35 KOs), has not gone unnoticed. Middleweight prospect Maciej Sulecki (13-0, 3 KOs) has caught the attention of Sauerland Event, who are interested in signing the 23-year-old talent.

"I've heard a lot of good things about Sulęcki. Kessler told me he was a great sparring partner. There is a difference of one weight class, and he is doing well, although he has only 13 fights. It's a phenomenal experience for him. We are interested in signing him to a contract," Nisse Sauerland said. Kessler is training for a May 25th rematch with Carl Froch, the IBF super middleweight champion.

There is a two-fight agreement in place for WBC cruiserweight champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (47-2-1, 33 KOs) to defend his title against undefeated Rakhim Chakhkiev (16-0, 12 KOs) on June 22 in Moscow. The agreement, while not fully finalized, guarantees Wlodarczyk an immediate rematch in the event he loses to the 2008 Olympic gold medal winner.

However, the champion says the with Chakhiev is not yet done. Contrary to published reports, no finalized contract has been received and a monetary advance from Chakhkiev's side, who are financing the event in Russia, has to be secured. Chakhkiev's side have stated that the money was wired over and should be arriving shortly. The champion wants to review the contract terms with his team.

"He is certainly a very dangerous fighter. He was an Olympic champion. Anyway, this is a fighter who commits a lot of mistakes during his attacks, but can quickly and strongly counter. I think that he will have problems trying to keep up the pace of a good fight," the champion noted.

On May 18th, Polish heavyweight prospect Krzysztof Zimnoch (14-0-1, 11 KOs) will face former WBC world champion Oliver McCall (56-12, 37 KOs).

This will be Zimnoch's first eight round bout and takes at Arena Hall in Legionowo, Poland.

McCall, 47-years-old, has one of the best chins in heavyweight boxing and has never been stopped. In his last fight, he lost a decision to Francesco Pianeta, who challenges Wladimir Klitschko on May 4th. Although he is far along in age, the fight presents a big test for Zimnoch.

On the undercard of Braekhus vs St John event in Denmark's Fredrikshavn, Polish cruiserweight Mateusz Masternak, 30-0, took a long time to get untracked in his WBC Int´l Silver title contest against Trinidad´s Sean Corbin, 15-4, but finally put it together for a stoppage at 1:01 into the ninth. Corbin was down in the eighth as well and both eyes were almost swollen shut at the time of the stoppage.

Corbin was however off to a good start as Masternak looked unable to get anything on what on paper appeared to be a relatively easy opponent. The judges had it 79-72 twice and 80-71 for the Pole after eight.

WBA "regular" heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin (25-0, 17 KOs) many very well defend his title against undefeated 6'5 Andrzej Wawrzyk (27-0, 13 KOs) of Poland on May 17th in Moscow, according to the fighter's manager Vladimir Hryunov. The event is headlined by a duel between WBA cruiserweight champion Denis Lebedev and challenger Guillermo Jones. Hryunov is waiting to get approval from the WBA, who ordered Povetkin to face unified champion Wladimir Klitschko in a mandatory fight by the end of August.

'We are working on this fight, but it is too early to consider it a finalized issue. A number of conditions have to be met. We need the consent of the WBA to take this fight before the clash with Wladimir Klitschko. In this matter, the WBA is talking with Povetkin's promoter Sauerland Event. According to the decree of the WBA, Wladimir and Alexander have to fight no later than August 31. Therefore, the earliest possible time to make a fight for Povetkin is in May," Hryunov said.

4/6, Sat. - Rafal Jackiewicz (42-11-2, 21 KOs) suffered yet another setback, as he was knocked out in the eleventh round by EBU welterweight champion Leonard Bundu (29-0-2, 10KOs).

Jackiewicz was the European champion back in 2008/09 and looked to regain the crown before a hostile crowd at the Tendastrisce in Rome. It was a tough fight, but Bundu had the edge. The end came in the eleventh after Bundy landed a crippling left hook to the liver.

One of the best Polish professionals, middleweight contender Grzegorz Proksa (29-2, 21 KOs), will return to the ring on June 28. So far it is not known where and who the opponent will be, but the information being circulated states that his next fight will take place in the United States.

A former EBU champion, Proksa, returned to action in February and won a six round decision over Norbert Szekeres (13-21). It was Proksa's first win since last year's beating at the hands of WBA/IBO champion Gennady Golovkin. He was reportedly going to return as part of an ESPN televised card on March 23rd at Turning Stone Casino in New York - but the boxer injured his hand in the February return and the March fight was postponed.

A week after its away 4-1 victory over Hussars Poland, Dolce & Gabbana Italia Thunder has offered the same performance to the audience of Campione d’Italia to reach the World Series of Boxing (WSB) semi-finals. Even without most of their stars, the defending Champions have once again proved on Saturday that nothing will ever be easy for their opponents.

Opening the evening at Bantamweight (50-54kg), Thunder Riccardo d’Andrea was proposed a tough rival in the shape of Dawid Pawel Michelus. Frustrated by the tactic of his opponent - coming as close as possible, infighting - the Italian had a lot of difficulties to keep his calm and serenity. However this anger became an advantage in the fifth and final round when he did put all his strength and power to land a few decisive punches and secure a close but unanimous decision (48-47).
 
Dolce and Gabbana Italia Thunder was then presenting its superstar Domenico Valentino at Lightweight (57-61kg). Facing the tactician Damian Wrzesinski, Valentino had decided to counter-attack all of his opponent’s few though precise punches. With a lot of speed and mobility, the 2009 AIBA World Champion managed to land some furious combinations which impressed the judges all the way. Therefore when the Pole was stopped in the fourth round with a bleeding skull, Valentino was already leading on points and thus recorded his ninth success in his WSB career.
 
The Defending champions officially confirmed as semi-finalists, newcomer Valter Fiorucci stepped onto the ring with a lot less pressure on him. Opposed to 20-year-old Hussar Ireneusz Zakrzewski at Middleweight (68-73kg), the Italian former pro suffered to find this so special WSB rhythm. He actually never found it and lost unanimously each and every round in this bout, giving the Polish Franchise its sole point in the match.
 
Next up at Light Heavyweight (80-85kg), Thunder Vitalijus Subacius from Lithuania and Ukrainian Serhiy Radchenko were the only foreign fighters of each team tonight. Extremely powerful, both boxers offered the most exciting fight to the crowd of the Casino Campione. After Radchenko had won the first two rounds, but been sent to canvas in the third, the scorecards were showing 28:28 before the final six minutes. Subacius finally demonstrated a lot of bravery to win this bout, but Radchenko is clearly one to remember.
 
Heavyweights (91+kg) Matteo Modugno and Michal Cieslak ended with two very different styles. Between the heavy and powerful Italian and the tall and mobile Pole, the debates were very equal over the first two rounds. Slowly but surely, the experienced Modugno started to block his opponent in the ropes and land some strong punches. Cieslak finished exhausted and defeated in his first WSB outing.
 
Dolce & Gabbana Italia Thunder will now face tough Ukraine Otamans in the semi-finals with the first leg scheduled for 13 April in Italy, and the return one in Kiev on 19 April. Hussars' first WSB adventure is finished but they surprised positively.

Polish heavyweight prospect Artur Szpilka (13-0, 10 KOs) will return on April 20th in Rzeszow, Poland. Last month the boxer was involved in a very exciting encounter in Chicago, where he was dropped two times before coming back in the sixth round to score a knockout over Mike Mollo. The fight was televised by ESPN's Friday Night Fights.

Szpilka is having some trouble finding an opponent for the April date. He says former champion Hasim Rahman, and contender Tor Hamer, have turned down offers. The Polish boxer also says former champ Sergei Liakhovich initially agreed to take the fight but then took a pass after noting that he wouldn't have enough time to get ready by the date.

Benefiting from the World Series of Boxing (WSB) huge experience of four of their boxers, defending Champion Dolce & Gabbana Italia Thunder has taken a clear advantage over its Polish opponents after this quarter-final first leg at the Hala Osir in Zawiercie. Considering that their line-up will probably be as strong next week, the Italians have one foot in the semi-finals.

Clearly considered as the underdog in the opening Bantamweight (50-54kg) contest, Hussars Poland Mateusz Mazik has put all of his strength in his battle against experienced Beijing 2008 bronze medallist Vincenzo Picardi. Showing a very aggressive style during the entire bout, Mazik was however not touching much, having to deal with a very dodging Italian. Although the Pole won the last two rounds, that was not enough to prevent the first point from going to the other side.

Two very similar boxers were then going head-to-head at Lightweight (57-61kg). Capable of being patients before landing some quick combinations, Adil Aslanov and Branimir Stankovic have offered the crowds a pretty tactical fight. In this context, Stankovic’s past seven bouts in two WSB seasons made the difference as the Serbian won each and every round in the opinion of the three judges, giving his team a clear advantage.

The most anticipated bout of the evening was coming at Middleweight (68-73kg), with the obligation for Hussars’ best boxer and poster-boy Tomasz Jablonski to come on top of strong Frenchman Michel Tavares. That encounter has not disappointed any boxing fan. Fast and furious, both men landed punch after punch, Jablonski getting even cut in the second round. Equal in the views of two judges before the fifth round, the Polish bravery was in the end not rewarded, because of an impressive last three minutes from Tavares. And the Italians had already won this first leg.

With 14 wins for only three losses in his WSB career, Dolce & Gabbana Italia Thunder Abdelhafid Benchabla was considered the favourite in his Light Heavyweight (80-85kg) bout against Mateusz Jerzy Tryc. Even if the Pole won the second round and demonstrated some promising skills, the London 2012 Algerian flag bearer used his experience to dominate the rest of the fight.

Closing the curtains at Heavyweight (91+kg), Mateusz Malujda has put all his power to clear his team’s name against league’s newcomer Emanuele Leo. Coming from the pro ranks with an impressive 7-0, the Italian however never found this so special WSB rhythm. Overwhelmed from the beginning and all the way until the final gong, Leo was therefore unable to offer a clean victory to his team, leaving a bit of hope to the Polish.

Travelling to Campione d’Italia next week for the return leg, Hussars Poland will have the tough mission to win all of the five remaining bouts to win this match. In case of a draw on aggregate, an additional Bantamweight fight will decide the semi-finalist. Any other result will qualify Dolce & Gabbana Italia Thunder.

Putting face-to-face newcomers Hussars Poland and league’s pioneer Dolce & Gabbana Italia Thunder, this World Series of Boxing (WSB) quarter-final looks like a clash of extremes. But despite the difference of experience, the Polish want to delight their fans at the Hala Osir of Zawiercie this Saturday 23 March (18:00 local time). Considering the danger, the defending Champions have brought an extremely strong line-up.

Opening the evening at Bantamweight (50-54kg), Hussars Poland southpaw Mateusz Mazik as so far won all of his first three contests. However this time around, he will have to deal with an experienced Beijing 2008 bronze medallist Vincenzo Picardi, who has recorded seven wins and two losses since 2010. Mazik will try to control the bout from the first seconds, knowing that his opponent’s tactical skills are multiple. The local boxer will surely need to be at his best if he wants to see his arm raised at the end of the fifth round.
 
Even if Polish Lightweight (57-61kg) Adil Aslanov had the opportunity to always fight at home, the 21-year-old has only won two of his four outings. Always trying to find the best moments to land some quick attacks, Aslanov lost to Azeri Magomedali Ukayev in Week 10 but ensures he is now ready for the knockout stage. His rival this Saturday will be Serbian Branimir Stankovic, who shows a 3-1 record in Season III, and will try to impose the rhythm all the way till the final gong.
 
Hussars’ poster-boy and best boxer, Middleweight (68-73kg) Tomasz Jablonski is also unbeaten in WSB (3-0). But he is now offered a real test in the shape of Frenchman Michel Tavares, 16 contests in three seasons in the league. If the Italia Thunder southpaw has lost five times, it was always against top fighters such as Sergiy Derevyanchenko (twice), Khaybula Musalov, Fred Evans and Ivan Golub. As much as his heavy punches are famous, Jablonski’s footwork could be the secret weapon.
 
"Physically I feel very well prepared, in a very good shape", said Jablonski. "Mentally I am getting there, I will be ready on Saturday. Be sure of that".
 
Another tough fight is scheduled at Light Heavyweight (80-85kg) with Poland’s Mateusz Tryc facing one of the league’s star, Abdelhafid Benchabla. The Algerian flag bearer at the London 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony has already competed 17 times the past three years in WSB for 14 wins and three losses. His style and tactics are known to be even more powerful and efficient in pro-style than AIBA Open Boxing (AOB).
 
Hussars Poland’s last proud member this night will be Heavyweight (91+kg) Mateusz Malujda, an orthodox fighter who has secured his first victory in Week 8 against Argentina Condors Facundo César Ghiglione. His challenger will be WSB debutant Emanuele Leo. This however doesn’t mean that the bout will be unbalanced since the Italian is back from the pro ranks with a record of 7-0. The new Thunder being taller than the Pole, a clear physical advantage could be on his side.

In their penultimate match of the regular season, Russia made light work of the visiting Hussars Poland in their World Series of Boxing (WSB) Group A clash on at the Konti Sport Recreation Center. Not one round was lost as Konstantin Bogomazov, Petr Khamukov, Dmitriy Bivol and Vitaly Kudukhov all recorded perfect victories for themselves.

The match got underway with the Lightweight (57-61kg) contest between clever operator Bogomazov and 24-year-old orthodox Pole Jacek Adam Wylezol. The young Russian’s skills were evident right from the off as he completely outthought and outboxed his opponent. Using his jab well and pouncing with some crisp combinations, Bogomazov was on top throughout the five rounds. In the end it was a classy victory for the Russian 21-year-old with Wylezol unable to match his endeavour.
 
At Middleweight (68-73kg), Khamukov notched up a second successive win after a comprehensive victory versus Polish 23-year-old Dawid Pac. After impressing in his last outing in Algeria, Khamukov once again demonstrated speed, power and a quality selection of shots in his fight as he dictated all the exchanges. From the first bell, the Russian was on top, unloading some great shots to stamp his authority on his opponent. Never letting his intensity drop, Khamukov took all five rounds on each of the judges’ scorecards and further extended his team’s lead in the match.
 
It was then the turn of Bivol to take to the ring with the Light Heavyweight (80-85kg) facing the Hussars’ orthodox Ukrainian Serhiy Radchenko. The 22-year-old Russian was a revelation, showing good footwork and a tactical mind to outwit his rival. On his WSB debut, Bivol looked assured, boxing well at distance on and on the inside, mixing it to the body and head with ease. Radchenko was devoid of ideas and unable to cope with the precision of his opponent. Bivol was unstoppable and he cruised to another perfect victory for the Russians.
 
No-nonsense Heavyweight (91+kg) Kudukhov was bright against the Hussars’ Yan Sudzilouski from Belorussia, setting the scene with some vicious attacks in the first. The experienced Russian was throwing some big punches and was hurting Sudzilouski, one big hook in particular giving him a bloody nose. Kudukhov was enjoying himself, unloading some hard combinations in each of the five rounds to record his third win of the season.
 
With the Russian boxer unable to take part in the Bantamweight (50-54kg) bout, a walk-over was given in favour of Poland, which was enough for Hussars to advance and make history.
 
Russia now face Argentina Condors on Saturday while Poland will be keeping eye on the result because if Russia win, they will finish third in the Group.

Ergo Arena, Poland - In an all-Polish nostalgic heavyweight encounter, 44-year old Przemyslaw Saleta (44-7, 22 KOs) returned to the ring after seven years of retirement and stopped 45-year old Andrzej Golota (41-9-1, 33 KOs) in the sixth round of a very brutal slugfest.

Golota himself last fought more than four years ago and was lopsidedly dismissed by Tomasz Adamek, who was making his heavyweight debut. His pitch battle with bitter rival Saleta was labeled the battle of the 90's dinosaurs but instead turned out to be a horrific war, which hasn't disapponted anybody.

Both combatants fought with rare vengeance but Saleta looked to be more resilient and prepared. Nevertheless, Golota was giving as much as he was taking in the first two rounds. However, in the third, Saleta was able to put him in big trouble, and Golota needed all his mastery to survive the battering. This mastery included the continuous spitting of the mouthpiece, which prompted referee Leszek Jankowiak to deduct a point from Golota.

In rounds four and five, both fighters traded punches in the centre of the ring, and in the sixth Salet has finally took over with increasing punch output. He started to land his punches at will and finally put Golota down on an accumulation of unanswered punches. making himself the big winner of a real heavyweight contest.

Heavyweight prospect Krzysztof Zimnoch (14-0-1, 11 KOs) had a very short night of work with sub Damian Trzcinski (4-3, 2 KOs), destroying his foe within two minutes of the opening round. Zimnoch dropped his opponent at the end of the first minute with a left-right combo. Trzcinski got up at eight but soon he was sent down again with the same combo. Next for Zimnoch is a bout with Mike Mollo (20-4-1), his bitter rival Artur Szpilka's last opponent, on June 29 in Poland.

Continuing his comeback from a controversial loss to Roy Jones Jr. the last year, Polish light heavyweight Pawel Glazewski (20-1, 5 KOs) put on a boxing clinic against his much less experienced countryman Bartlomiej Grafka (7-6, 2 KOs). Grafka fought valiantly but was just not in the same sentence with Glazewski. The former BBU champion was in full control throughout the entire clash and was rightfully awarded with a ten-round unanimous decision. All judges' scorecards were identical: 100-90 - for Pawel Glazewski.

Dariusz Sek (18-0-1, 7 KOs), a new pupil of Andrzej Gmitruk, the man, who has previously developed Tomasz Adamek, continued his road to the light heavyweight elite with the fourth-round stoppage of previously unbeaten but vastly untested compatriot Remigiusz Woz (5-1, 1 KO). Woz wasn't in the same league with Sek, and that was obvious from the opening bell. In the second round, Sek put his opponent down twice with left hooks, and Woz was very lucky to hear the bell for the next round and was twice luckier to last to the end. However, in the fourth Dariusz Sek connected with a hard and short right hand, putting Woz in trouble for the third time and effectively finishing the contest.

In a battle of undefeated middleweights, Maciej Sulecki (13-0, 3 KOs) dealt the first career loss to Robert Swierzbinski (11-1, 3 KOs), effectively outpointing him over eight one-sided rounds. Sulecki dropped Swierzbinski with a hard right counter in the midst of the second round, then with a left-right combination at the end of the fourth stanza. Robert had little to answer Maciej and deservingly lost in an eight-rounder. Scores were: 79-71 (twice) and 78-72 - for Maciej Sulecki, who is moving on in his career.

Rising Poland-based Nigerian cruiserweight Izuagbe Ugonoh (9-0, 7 KOs) was not tested tough by durable journeyman Lukasz Rusiewicz (13-13-1, 6 KOs) and was lucky to get a close unanimous decision in an eight-rounder. Ugonoh started very fast but Rusiewicz soon adapted his style to the hard-punching Nigerian and gave him fits. A strong finish for Rusiewiczm but all three judges awarded the fight to his opponent: 58-56 (twice) and 59-56. Rusiewicz was stopped just once in his career - on cuts by Enad Licina - despite sharing the same ring with well-known punchers like Herbie Hide, Rakhim Chakhkiev (twice), Troy Ross and Alexander Frenkel.

Continuing his trips from one weight class to another, WBO #10 ranked featherweight Kamil Laszczyk (12-0, 6 KOs) went up to 135 lbs and outfought fellow compatriot Krzystof Cieslak (18-5, 4 KOs) en route to a convincing ten-round unanimous decision. Laszczyk started fast but Cieslak soon found resources to get back into the fight. Up until the midst of the ten-rounder, Cieslak was fighting on almost even terms with the Wroclaw native, but Laszczyk increased tempo down the stretch and effectively outworked his opponent in the closing stages of the contest. All three cards were in his favour: 99-91 (twice) and 99-92.

"I have been offered an opportunity to fight in Poland for far more money than I would get for fighting Kubrat Pulev. Meaning no disrespect to Pulev, he has never held a major title and never headlined a televised card. Any money generated by the promotion would, for the most part, be generated by my popularity.

I owe it to my family to engage in the most financially rewarding bouts, and engaging in a bout with Kubrat Pulev at this time simply does not make financial sense. I have spoken with the President of the IBF, Daryl Peoples, and informed him that, for the above reasons, I have withdrawn from the IBF box-off. I also thanked the IBF for the support it has shown me and the sport of boxing over the past years."

Former EBU middleweight champion Grzegorz Proksa (29-2, 21KOs) returned to action Saturday night, winning a six round decision over Norbert Szekeres (13-21). It was Proksa's first win since last year's beating at the hands of WBA/IBO champion Gennady Golovkin. He was reportedly going to return as part of an ESPN televised card on March 23rd at Turning Stone Casino in New York - but the boxer injured his hand in Saturday's victory and the March return will now be postponed to a later date. The hand is said to be broken and surgery is possible.

Rafal Jackiewicz (42-10-2, 21 KOs) says a fight with EBU champion Leonard Bundu (28-0-2, 9 KOs) is not likely going to happen on April 6 in the Italian capital.

The 35-year-old boxer is already going to see action on March 23 on the Wojak Boxing Night in Czestochowa, where he will headline in a ten round fight in the main event.

The World Series of Boxing (WSB) Group A encounter between Hussars Poland and Argentina Condors at the Hala Znicz in Pruszkow this Friday 8 February (20:00 local time) will surely decide these teams’ fate in the race for quarter-final qualification. This is a must-win for both with defeat putting their places in the knockout phase in serious jeopardy. Poland have nominated their best boxers to take to the ring on the night and they will be banking on the class and know-how of the unbeaten Mateusz Mazik, the rangy Adil Aslanov and team poster-boy Tomasz Jablonski to make the difference against some tough opposition.

23-year-old Polish southpaw Mazik will be opening up the show at Bantamweight (50-54kg) when he faces Argentine rising star Fernando Martinez in what promises to be one of the outstanding fights of the tie. After recording two wins from two this season against experienced opposition, the young Mazik will be keen to continue his fine form by extending that winnings streak on home soil. Martinez has been one of Argentina’s star performers with his electric speed and precision punching, so sparks will fly when these two go head-to-head.

After a confidence-boosting victory against one of the league’s most accomplished boxers last time out, Poland’s Aslanov will be looking to build on his success as he battles the impressive teenaged Argentine Ronan Nahuel Sanchez at Lightweight (57-61kg). Orthodox Aslanov’s long reach should serve him well with the 21-year-old having used his jab so effectively in his previous outing for the team. Sanchez on the other hand proved his mettle after mounting a stunning comeback on his WSB debut by overturning a two round deficit to triumph over Azerbaijan’s Isa Isayev. Both boxers have shown tremendous character this season so it is anyone’s fight.

At Middleweight (68-73kg), it will be Hussars team spearhead Jablonski versus tricky 25-year-old Argentine orthodox Juan Jose Velosco Chanampa. The 24-year-old Pole is the home team’s biggest name and after delighting his fans in week two with a classy victory over tough Russian Aleksandr Ivanov, he will be keen to continue his unbeaten start to the season. Velasco Chanampa is a tough customer who enjoys throwing a lot of punches so it will be explosive, guaranteed.

Condors superstar and London 2012 Olympian Yamil Peralta from Argentina sits second in the Individual Light Heavyweight (80-85kg) ranking after a hat-trick of wins this season so goes into his contest with Serhiy Radchenko as the overwhelming favourite to win. The tall 21-year-old’s all-action style is easy on the eye and mixed with his tremendous work rate, Perlata has really lit up the competition so far. Radchenko was given a tough debut against WSB Champion Ramazan Magomedau and acquitted himself well for the Hussars so it will be interesting to see how he fares against the Argentine.

Closing up the evening’s proceedings will be the Heavyweight (+91kg) showdown between Poland’s fearsome pro fighter Mateusz Malujda and 30-year-old WSB debutant Facundo Cesar Ghiclione. Malujda will be at a height disadvantage so will have to draw his rival in to work him on the inside in order to get the upper hand. The Argentine is untested at this level so it will be interesting to see how he copes with the power of his rival.

Points are absolutely vital at this point of the season, but with the Hussars yet to lose on home soil they will be favourites to claim victory. Argentina however have some quality performers set to take to the ring so it could go down to the wire.

On Friday night in Chicago, Polish heavyweight prospect Artur Szpilka (13-0, 10 KOs) scored an impressive sixth round knockout of Mike Mollo (20-4-1, 12 KOs), but the Polish fans were on the edge of their seats as Szpilka himself was dropped two times in the contest and badly hurt.

Some of the top Polish names discussed Szpilka's big win.

Andrew Golota: Artur lost his way in the first phase of the contest, but then mastered the situation at the very end, and that was most important. He really wanted to box and do not give up. You can see in him the desire to win. In the second half, Artur had a little luck. I'm not sure if Mollo was well prepared for this show, because he just seemed to be rather slow and a little too heavy.

Mateusz Masternak: The fight very interesting and spectacular, and especially its ending. It can be divided into the two phases. First, when functioning well with the straight right, Artur calmly controlled everything and in my opinion should be boxing just like that. But when he stood on the ropes with his right hand lowered, unfortunately that made him a target for Mollo. Such moments for Artur are very dangerous. Artue and his staff need to consider how [this flaw] can be eliminated, because at the highest level you can not commit such errors.

Krzysztof Zimnoch: I am glad that Arthur won and nothing can stand in the way of our fight (the fight is already off - editor's update, more news soon). Does it surprise me that he was dropped to the mat? No, it's heavyweight boxing, where punches carry a lot of weight and moments of distraction can end like this. Artur showed character.

Middleweight contender and former EBU champion Grzegorz Proksa (28-2, 21KOs) will return to action on February 9th against Lee Noble (15-24-3, 3KOs) in an six round contest.

Proksa returns for the first time since taking a terrible beating at the hands of WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin in September.

Proksa was battered and knocked down in the first, fourth and fifth rounds. The referee stopped the contest in the fifth. Proksa's return takes place at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The main event features a clash between Carl Frampton and Kiko Martinez.