The British Lionhearts put in a sensational performance against USA Knockouts in London on Thursday night to maintain their unbeaten record in WSB Season VI. The Lionhearts now have a five-point lead over the second-placed Americans and host the Morocco Atlas Lions in two weeks’ time.
European Confederation Boxing Championships silver medalist Muhammad Ali got the home side off to a strong start against USA Knockouts’ 23-year-old Gaurav Bidhuri, his lightening combinations and long, straight punching delivering a unanimous judges’ decision after five rounds.
The Americans were soon back on level terms after winning the battle of the welterweight southpaws. Lionhearts’ promising debutant Cyrus Pattinson was stopped in his tracks in the third round of what had, up to then, been a balanced contest with fellow debutant Ardreal Holmes, with the American’s jabs putting Pattinson on the canvas.
Wales’ European Confederation Champion Joseph Cordina continued his strong run of form with a confident display against Knockouts debutant Bruce Carrington. Cordina was focused throughout, comfortably taking all five rounds for a unanimous points decision to give the home side an advantage they would refuse to let slip.
Lionhearts’ Joshua Buatsi had his opponent Souliman Abdourachidov on the canvas as early as the first round, but full credit to the Frenchman who returned well in the second and third of a gripping encounter. But it was Buatsi, fuelled by the vociferous home crowd, who seized control, delivering a massive left in the fourth that had Abdourachidov down for the final time as the referee awarded the home side the TKO and a deserved win on the night.
That left Joseph Joyce to return to the side and round-off the action in emphatic style. Last year’s super heavyweight star returned to the WSB fray with a big left hook in the opening seconds and then had Knockouts’ Brandon Lynch on the canvas inside the first minute, raising the roof on York Hall and sealing a memorable win for the Lionhearts.
