The Ukraine Otamans earned a 3-2 win over the Cuba Domadores ©WSB

A stunning victory for Serhii Bohachuk over reigning Olympic champion Roniel Iglesias helped the Ukraine Otamans inflict a rare defeat on the Cuba Domadores and move to the top of the Group A standings in the World Series of Boxing (WSB).

Both teams had headed into the contest in Kharkiv unbeaten, having seen off the challenge of the China Dragons and Türkiye Conquerors in their opening clashes.

The fixture was expected to be a closely fought affair, with the first bout of the night between the Otamans’ Maksym Fatych and the Domadores’ Yosbany Veitia living up to that billing in the under 52 kilogram flyweight.

Fatych, the reigning Ukrainian champion, was eventually awarded a split decision victory as two judges scored the fight 49:46 and 48:47 in his favour.

Three-time world champion Lazaro Jorge Alvarez was provided with a strong test by Viktor Slavinskyi, but the under 60kg Cuban lightweight was eventually awarded the contest on two judges’ scorecards, with the third scoring the bout as a draw.

With the scores level, the crowd were treated to the stunning result of the night, as Bohachuk clashed with Olympic under 69kg welterweight division champion Roniel Iglesias.

The 20-year-old delivered an impressive performance to underline his potential and was rewarded by two scorecards reading 48:47 and 49:46 in his favour in a split decision verdict.

Julio La Cruz got the Domadores back on level terms after securing a unanimous under 81kg light heavyweight win over Maksym Kots.

Venezuela Caciques secured their second straight whitewash to boost their hopes of reaching the knock-out phase
Venezuela Caciques secured their second straight whitewash to boost their hopes of reaching the knock-out phase ©WSB

However, it would not prove enough to prevent his team from falling to defeat with the Otamans’ Rostyslav Arkhipenko clinching victory for the hosts after earning a split decision win over two-time Pan American Games champion Leinier Eunice Pero.

The result keeps the Otamans at the top of the Group A standings, while despite the defeat the Domadores still remain on course for the knock-out stage as they lie in second place.

Having whitewashed the Argentina Condors yesterday, Venezuela Caciques were able to repeat the feat against Rafako Hussars Poland.

Their 19-year-old flyweight Franklin Jose Gonzalez was one of the star performers during the contest as he earned a clear points win over Russia’s Hamza Touba.

The result places them at the top of the Group C standings with three wins and two defeats, but the unbeaten Russian Boxing Team could retake the spot in their two fixtures they have in hand.