Middleweight boxer Patrick Gallagher of Ireland will face the toughest task among the five Mumbai Fighters in the ring against Dolce & Gabbana Milano Thunder from Italy at World Series Boxing 2011-2012.
His first professional bout in the AIBA-organised event will be against WSB individual middleweight champion Sergeiy Derevyanchenko of Ukraine at the Balewadi Sports Complex indoor hall.
Pro debut
The competition spanning bouts in five weight categories will also mark the TransStadia-owned MF's debut in pro boxing at the AIBA-sanctioned event.
The 73kg boxer from Belfast will confront the masterful Ukraine fighter, crowned the WSB individual middleweight champion last season and granted a direct entry for 2012 London Olympics.
Heavyweight Clemente Russo is the second WSB champion to be presented before Indian audiences for the first time. He also clinched a London Olympic berth after securing the individual title at the expense of Magomedrasul Medzhidov last season.
Friday's opponent for the Milano Thunder star will be pro boxing first-timer Krishan Kumar of India, who got the nod with Paul Koon being ruled out following a sparring incident and Trent Rawlins recovering from a knee strain.
Milano Thunder CEO Paolo Taveggia spoke about the new WSB format after the weigh-in on Thursday. “The format this time is more exciting, our team will travel to different cities,” he said, adding, “Jet lag is a problem our boxers will have to tackle.”
Big opportunity
Balbir Singh in bantam, Diwakar Prasad in lightweight and Jasveer Singh in light heavy are little-known amateurs given the big opportunity. Telecast live on ESPN, the bouts will commencing at 7.30 p.m. at the boxing arena will be of five three-minute rounds in each of the five categories.
AIBA president Dr Ching-Kuo Wu will be present for the India launch of World Series Boxing at Pune. “As chairman of the WSB Board, it is my great pleasure to be able to attend this very first WSB match in India. It is a historical moment for Mumbai Fighters,” he said in a statement.
The face-offs: Bantamweight: Balbir Singh (Ind) vs Vitaliy Volkov (Ukr); Lightweight: Diwakar Prasad (Ind) vs Juan Herrera (Arg); Middleweight: Patrick Gallagher (Ire) vs Sergeiy Derevyanchenko (Ukr); Light heavyweight: Jasveer Singh (Ind) vs Nikolayi Grisunins (Lat); Heavyweight: Krishan Kumar (Ind) vs Clemente Russo (Ita).
