RIGA, LATVIA - 12 SEPTEMBER - History was made for WAKO Pro in Latvia as the organisation's first-ever title event in the country took place in front of more than 11,000 spectators at Xiaomi Arena Riga.

The historic championship bout was part of Bazara 0 Fight Club IV, biggest combat sports events in Latvia. The spectacular event featured professional kickboxing, boxing with MMA gloves and bare-knuckle fights, all taking place inside the cage.

CERKESOVS MAKES LATVIAN HISTORY

The WAKO Pro K1 European Interim Championship at 69.1 kg featured Latvia's Aleksandrs Cerkesovs against Jabbar Mustafayev, representing Azerbaijan and the UAE.

After five competitive rounds, Cerkesovs secured a unanimous decision victory, with the judges scoring the bout:

49-45, 49-45, 50-44

With this victory, Cerkesovs became the first-ever WAKO Pro belt holder from Latvia and the first fighter to win a WAKO Pro title in Latvia.

Competing in front of more than 11,000 fans at Xiaomi Arena Riga, Cerkesovs delivered a historic performance and secured his place in Latvian kickboxing history.

INTERNATIONAL OFFICIATING TEAM

The championship bout was overseen by an experienced international team of officials.

The referee was Edward Strijkert, an experienced international referee who has officiated at major kickboxing events, including GLORY Kickboxing.

The judging panel consisted of:

• Maciej Bajtel - Poland
• Cecylia Pudlicka - Poland
• Vladimirs Jersovs - Latvia

WAKO Pro Supervisor:

• Tomasz Bałdyga - Poland

The international officiating team reflected the professional standards and neutral officiating principles applied to WAKO Pro championship contests.

A MAJOR MILESTONE FOR WAKO PRO IN LATVIA

The event was supported by Darja Strutinska, President of the Latvian Kickboxing Federation and WAKO Europe Board Member, together with Grisha Zeigermaher, WAKO Pro Representative for Latvia.

Their cooperation has been instrumental in bringing WAKO Pro championship opportunities to Latvian fighters and developing the organisation's presence in the Baltic region.

For Grisha Zeigermaher, bringing WAKO Pro championship action to an event of this magnitude represents an important milestone.

"It is a great honour to promote WAKO Pro at events of this scale and to bring WAKO Pro title action to Latvia. To have the first WAKO Pro title event in the country in front of more than 11,000 people is a very special moment.

This would not have happened without the trust and support of Donato and Carlos. I am very grateful for the opportunity and excited about what we can build together."

The success of Bazara 0 Fight Club IV demonstrates the potential for WAKO Pro championship events to be presented on major professional fight cards and in front of large audiences.

For Latvia, the night will be remembered as the moment the country's first WAKO Pro champion was crowned on home soil.

For Aleksandrs Cerkesovs, it was the beginning of his journey as a WAKO Pro champion.

For WAKO Pro in Latvia, it was the beginning of a new chapter.

HISTORY MADE IN RIGA.