British Lionhearts have begun their new World Series of Boxing campaign in style, winning back-to-back away matches against USA Knockouts in Miami and Morocco Atlas Lions in Casablanca to top Group B. The squad will be hoping to transfer that form to York Hall as the athletes prepare to welcome Mexico Guerreros to London on Thursday night, where both sides will be focused on victory.
The Guerreros can count on three members of the squad that conjured a surprise victory for the visitors in the corresponding fixture of Season V, including 2014 Pan-American gold medalist Joselito Velasquez who will face Lions’ WSB debutant Galal Yafai, deputising for Harvey Horn, in the opening light flyweight bout.
British Lionhearts’ Week 2 boxer Peter McGrail also makes way in Thursday’s line up, European Confederation silver medallist Qais Ashfaq stepping in to show what he is capable of against Sergio Chirino in the bantamweight contest. One man who does retain his place for the hosts is Pat McCormack, who opened his Season VI campaign with a spectacular triumph over USA Knockouts’ Gary Russell but will face a tough trial against Mexico’s Rio 2016 qualifier Raul Curiel.
The evening’s middleweight clash will see AIBA World bronze medalist Anthony Fowler take on Misael Rodriguez, who had an impressive Season V for the Guerreros, before the heavyweights wrap up the action. Lionhearts’ newcomer Lawrence Okolie scored a brilliant victory over US rival Cam F. Awesome on his WSB debut in Miami and that form means he will be favourite against Mexico’s WSB debutant Jared Barraza.
