Clarke keen to maintain unbeaten Lionhearts streak

The Lionhearts opened the new WSB campaign with a narrow 3-2 defeat away to Italia Thunder and face another trip as they travel to Paris on February 23 to take on France Fighting Roosters.

And for the trip Clarke and Ali will be joined by two fellow members of the GB Boxing squad – lightweight Luke McCormack and welterweight, Cyrus Pattinson – while overseas selection Radoslav Pantaleev from Bulgaria completes the team at light-heavyweight.

All five Lionhearts boxers have previous experience of competing in WSB, with Clarke leading the way with an impressive 5-0 record after a superb debut season in 2016 – something he is keen to extend in Paris.

Clarke said: "Last year's WSB was great for me personally and the team as a whole so hopefully we can continue that and get the win in France. "It will be the first time I have boxed since I beat the Cuban in last year's WSB final so I am hoping to pick up where I left off and maintain my unbeaten record in the competition.

"It will be difficult as France have some good boxers, however we have a good experienced line-up so it should make for a great match."

Sportsbeat 2017