Dolce & Gabbano Milano Thunder won 3-2 against Venkys Mumbai Fighters in the first World Series Boxing 2011 match fought on Indian soil.
Diwakar Prasad in lightweight class and Jasveer Singh in light heavyweight struck a blow for Indian boxing, winning the first pro bouts of their career. World champions Sergiy Derevyanchenko (middleweight) and Clemente Russo (heavyweight) showcased beauty and brutality in the ring, winning with ease against amateurs making a painful foray into the pro ranks.
Vitaliy Volkov (bantamweight) won the opener for the visitors from Italy.
Diwakar made a smooth switch from the amateur ranks, winning via a split points decision over Juan Herrera in the lightweight category. In doing so, the former National champion showed that locals were not far behind foreign pros with WSB experience.
Showcasing pure arrogance in the ring and technical skill to exploit chinks in the Argentine's armour, the Indian hammered out a 2-1 verdict (49-46, 48-47, 46-49).
Mumbai Fighters heavyweight Krishan Kumar feinted his way out of Russo's sledgehammer punches, lasting five rounds before going down to the powerful Italian.
After Balbir Singh had been outclassed by Volkov in the first bantamweight bout, WSB middleweight number one, Derevyanchenko, put on an astonishing show of controlled aggression against gutsy Patrick Gallagher.
After four rounds of soaking up punishment, the latter had to take a count twice in the fifth round and the team management threw in the towel. The technical knockout was the icing on the cake for boxing audiences treated to a master class.
Volkov won an unanimous points decision against Balbir in the opening bout on an action-packed evening at the Balewadi Sports Complex indoor arena. The Ukraine fighter won the opening away match with a measure of control against the gritty Indian.
All three judges scored 50-45 in favour of the Ukrainian, who used the left jab to the face for openings and unleashed the right hook.
Balbir goaded his rival by keeping his guard down in the second round and fired a left hook to rock Volkov. MF's bantamweight turned on a hint of aggression in the fifth and final round, though by then the punching combinations ensured that the Ukrainian had his nose ahead.
Credited with a 3-2 WSB record, the compact boxer called the shots.
Before the bouts commenced, the gathering stood in silence as a mark of respect for late boxing legend Joe Frazier.
American heavyweight Paul Koon was present at the ringside. “I am here to support my team, boost the morale of my teammates.” He was ruled out due to an injury suffered in sparring with an Indian teammate and missed the chance to take on heavyweight Russo.
The results: Bantamweight: Vitaliy Volkov (MT) bt Balbir Singh (MF) on points 3-0. Lightweight: Diwakar Prasad (MF) bt Juan Herrera (MT) on points 2-1. Middleweight: Sergiy Derevyanchenko (MT) bt Patrick Gallagher (MF) on TKO. Light heavyweight: Jasveer Singh (MF) bt Nikolai Grisnins (MT) on points 3-0. Heavyweight: Clemente Russo (MT) bt Krishan Kumar (MF) on points 3-0.
