The Uzbek Tigers, including Rio 2016 gold medallist Hasanboy Dusmatov, have secured a 3-2 lead over the Cuba Domadores ©Getty Images

Defending champions Cuba Domadores face a battle to retain their World Series of Boxing (WSB) title after suffering a 3-2 defeat in their quarter-final first leg against the Uzbek Tigers in Samarkand.

The Uzbek Tigers looked to take full advantage of hosting the first leg at home and their boxers made a strong start, winning the opening two bouts.

Hasanboy Dusmatov produced a fine display in the men’s light-flyweight division, with Rio 2016 gold medallist winning against Cuba’s Joahnys Argilagos.

He was awarded a unanimous points victory over Argilagos, the 2016 world champion.

The Uzbek Tigers lead was extended with a bantamweight success for Murodjon Akhmadaliev, as he defeated Javier Ibañez by a split decision verdict.

Andy Cruz reduced the deficit for the defending champions by earning a unanimous win over Ikboljon Kholdarov in the light-welterweight division.

A unanimous points verdict in favour of Israil Madrimov, following his middleweight contest with Arlen Lopez, saw the Uzbek Tigers lead restored.

They will head to Cuba will a narrow advantage though, with Erislandy Savon having secured a unanimous points win over the host’s Sanjar Tursunov in the heavyweight contest.

Italia Thunder will head into the second leg of their quarter-final with a 3-2 lead over the Colombia Heroicos, after a close contest in Rome.

Yurberjen Martinez won the light-flyweight bout against Federico Serra to give the Heroics a 1-0 lead, but the score was levelled when Francesco Grandelli achieved a unanimous points win over fellow bantamweight Jhon Martinez.

Sebastian Mendizabal Rosa replicated the feat in his light-welterweight fight with Brayam Rico Pabon to put Italia Thunder into the lead for the first time.

A split decision win for Dmytro Mytrofanov over Jorge Vivas in the middleweight division ensured Italia Thunder of a first leg lead.

Heavyweight Julio Deivis claimed a unanimous win over Amin Ettesami to give the Colombia Heroicos hope, with their team now only trailing 3-2.

Cuba Domadores and the Uzbek Tigers will be the first team to conclude their quarter-final tie when they compete on May 19, with the Colombia Heroics concluding their match with Italia Thunder later that day.

The British Lionhearts will begin their home leg 3-2 down to the France Fighting Roosters on May 20, with two-time champions Astana Arlans Kazakhstan lead the Russia's Patriot Boxing Team by the same score.