MOSCOW, June 21 (RIA Novosti, Olesya Schegolkova) - The Luzhniki sports complex in southwest Moscow will host the Boxing World Cup on July 12-17. "A competitions on this high level has not been held in Moscow since 1989," Eduard Khusainov, the president of the Russian Boxing Federation (RBF), told a Tuesday news conference.
Khusainov said that the strongest teams from Cuba, the United States, Ukraine, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Romania and Kazakhstan would arrive in the Russian capital, as would an Asian team (India, Pakistan and Iran) and a combined African team.
According to Khusainov, the fights between the Russian and Cuban teams will be the most intriguing part of the event. "We want to meet with Cubans in the final," he said. "However, it's possible that we will be drawn against them earlier, although a final between the Cubans and Russians would be more interesting."
Alexander Lebzyak, the head coach of the Russian team, said Russian boxers would practice for a few days prior to the World Cup with their main competitors - the Cubans.
"We will share a gym for five days," Lebzyak said. "Next year we plan to organize direct meets, training sessions in Cuba and we will invite them [Cuban boxers] to Russia."
According to Lebzyak, his charges are ready for the challenge and are in good physical shape.
There will be $120,000 in prize money at stake during the World Cup.
"Above all, we will be fighting for Russia and not for money," Lebzyak said. "I would advise all Russian teams to do the same."
