The hosts were in battling form to ensure they will go into tomorrow's second and final match-up with a slight advantage over the Kazakh outfit, who were outfought on the night by a spirited Lionhearts team.

Light flyweight Galal Yafai, brother of undefeated pro boxer Khalid Yafai, got the home side off to the best possible start as he clinched a unanimous win in his clash with the dangerous Yerzhan Zhomart.

Although Zhomart was expected to cause Yafai problems, the Lionhearts fighter proved too strong in the ring as all three judges comfortably awarded him the bout.

The Astana Arlans then demonstrated why they are the reigning WSB champions as they restored parity in the next match on the card, with Nursultan Kochshegulov getting the better of Peter McGrail in their bantamweight contest by split decision.

Pat McCormack, a former junior world champion, managed to restore the Lionhearts’ lead with a comfortable unanimous triumph against Arlans team captain Bashenov.

The fight was billed as one of the most notable of the night and McCormack didn’t disappoint the home crowd, claiming what could be described as a shock win owing to the pedigree of Bashenov, a winner of two WSB crowns, at this level.

The topsy-turvy nature of the semi-final, first leg continued as the fourth match went the way of the visitors, with Meiirim Nursultanov edging a close-knit middleweight match against Troy Williamson.

The Lionhearts athlete was able to keep pace with his opponent for large periods but ultimately fell short, losing by split decision.

All three judges scored it 48-47 either way, with one opting for the Briton while the other two favoured Nursultanov.

Croatian heavyweight Josep-Bepo Filipi capped off a superb night of boxing in the last contest of the evening, guaranteeing the Lionhearts started ahead in the defining second leg by beating Yerkin Mukametzhan 3-0.

The semi-final concludes tomorrow, with the winners going on to face the formidable Cuba Domadores for the Season VI title.