Lionhearts taste first defeat in World Series of Boxing as Ukraine triumph

The match got off to a difficult start for the Lionhearts as Andrew Selby tasted defeat for the first time in the World Series of Boxing when the referee stopped the flyweight contest after four rounds due to an injury to the Welshman’s left eye which had been caught by a number of solid shots from Azat Usenaliev of the Otamans.

He was followed into the ring by his fellow Welshman, Joe Cordina, who got stronger as the lightweight contest went on, however, he was unable to convince the judges who awarded the bout to his Ukrainian opponent Oleg Prudkyi.

Next into the ring for the Lionhearts was World Series of Boxing debutant Ekow Essuman who showed no signs of nerves as he earned a split decision victory over Bogdan Shelestyuk.

However next up the experienced Ukrainian Oleksandr Khyzhniak defeated the Lionhearts' Aston Brown by TKO in round four to ensure the Otamans won the fixture.

The last contest of the night ensured the Lionhearts could leave Kiev with their heads held high as super-heavyweight Joe Joyce stopped Viktor Vykhryst with an explosive performance to take his World Series of Boxing record to nine wins from ten contests.

Next-up for the Lionhearts is another away fixture against the Morocco Atlas Lions in Casablanca on January 30.

© Sportsbeat 2015