Friday 10 February 2017 16:38, UK
British Lionhearts opened the World Series Boxing campaign with a heartbreaking 3-2 away defeat to the Italia Thunder on Thursday.
The talented young prospects made an impressive start to their Group B clash but with the scores level heading into the final bout and the Rome home crowd roaring them on, the Italians edged a thriller.
It was experienced heavyweight Clemente Russo who won the fifth and final fight, the Olympic 2012 silver medallist out-pointing Josip-Bepo Filipi, one of the two Croatian fighters named in the Lionhearts opening team.
The away team made a slick start to the night with Galal Yafai out-classing Federico Serra for a unanimous decision, but the Thunder hit back with Francesco Maietta seeing off bantamweight Jack Bateson.
Talented light-welterweight Dalton Smith dug in to put the Lionhearts back in front, edging a split decision over Paolo Di Lernia but it was all square after the fourth and penultimate fight, with Croatian Luka Plantic giving his all, only for a strong finish from Salvatore Cavallaro to take it.
It was left to the big guns to settle a hard-fought affair and in the end experience told, with the 31-year-old Russo, who was part of the Italian team that won the tournament five years ago, keeping Filipi at bay for a unanimous points win and an overall 3-2 success.
The Lionhearts will get the chance to avenge the defeat when Italia Thunder come to York Hall on March 23 and you can see all three home fights with Sky Tickers here.
