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Pairings set for 2nd season of World Boxing Super Series According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, the pairings have been set for the 2nd World Boxing Super Series in the jnior welterweight and bantmweight divisions. “We are fighting for the Ali trophy, and Ali is a legend. He fought the best of the best, and I want to fight the best of the best,” said junior welterweight top seed Prograis said. “Flanagan is a former world champion, and that’s why I made this decision.” He will face Terry Flanagan. “You have to fight the best to win the tournament, and I am here to win the tournament. I am confident in winning this fight,” Flanagan said. Prograis’ pick of Flanagan left No. 2 seed Josh Taylor (13-0, 11 KOs), 27, of Scotland, to be paired with Ryan Martin (22-0, 12 KOs), 25, of Cleveland, because the other two bouts are mandatory fights. “I am here to win this tournament, so it doesn’t matter who I face in the first round,” Taylor said. “My boxing brain, speed and power, I believe, will give me the edge over my opponents in this tournament.” “This is what I have been preparing my whole career for,” Martin said. “Josh is clearly one of the best in the division, so I’m excited.” World titleholder Kiryl Relikh (22-2, 19 KOs), 28, of Belarus, the No. 3 seed, will make his first defense, a mandatory, against former titlist Eduard Troyanovsky (27-1, 24 KOs), 38, of Russia. “I am looking forward to the fight. I want to win this tournament,” Relikh said. “The winner will become a superstar in the game.” “I am very happy to take part in the tournament and I feel confident in beating Kiryl,” he said. “I am ready to take his belt.” No. 4 Ivan Baranchyk (18-0, 11 KOs), 25, of Russia, will face Anthony Yigit (21-0-1, 7 KOs), 26, of Sweden, for a vacant world title. “I am ready to fight and I will win this belt,” Baranchyk said. “I show everyone that I am the best in the division.” Said Yigit: “It’s a great opportunity for me to show everyone what I am going up for. I want to entertain the crowd and I will take this home.” “He has been an amazing champion and he is a great fighter. I believe Nonito can bring out the best in me,” said bantamweight top seed Ryan Burnett, who will defend his belt for the second time. “I know that Ryan’s got what it takes, so I am going to be at my best,” Donaire said. Secondary world titlist Naoya Inoue (16-0, 14 KOs), 25, of Japan, who is a three-division titleholder, secured the No. 2 seed and elected to face former titlist Juan Carlos Payano (20-1, 9 KOs), 34, a southpaw from the Dominican Republic. “It is an honor to be able to participate, so I am excited. I am very confident that I will win this tournament,” said Inoue, who will be making his first defense. “I am excited to fight Inoue and I am going for the win,” he said. World titleholder Zolani Tete (27-3, 21 KOs), a 30-year-old southpaw from South Africa, will make his third defense against Russian prospect Mikhail Aloyan (4-0, 4 KOs), a 29- year-old southpaw. “I am looking forward to fighting the best fighters, and the best fighters are here,” Tete said. “I am very proud that I have such an opportunity fight the best fighters in this tournament. I feel very confident that I have what it takes,” he said. World titleholder Emmanuel Rodriguez (18-0, 12 KOs), 25, of Puerto Rico, received the No. 4 seed and will make his first defense against mandatory challenger Jason Moloney (17-0, 14 KOs), 27, of Australia. “I am happy for this fight and confident in defending my belt,” Rodriguez said. “I will do my best to win the tournament.” Said Moloney: “I am very confident that I can beat Emmanuel. He is a very good fighter as everyone in this tournament is. This is my time to shine. I’m ready.”.

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