Colombia came from 2-0 behind to claim a 3-2 victory at the Coliseo de combate Bernardo Caraballo, giving them the outright lead in Group A with a third win in as many outings. 

The bantamweight bout began the evening’s action, with the hosts’ Rio 2016 Olympian Leonel de Los Santos making his first appearance in the five-round format against the Cuban Javier Ibanez. 

An extremely tight contest ended with a final flourish from the Colombian, but it was Ibanez who edged the judges’ decision to give Cuba the early lead.

Domadores’ Andy Cruz then extended the visitors’ advantage at light-welterweight, brushing aside the challenge of veteran southpaw Jose Tordecilla with a consummate display littered with devastating hooks.

It left Cuba’s Olympic middleweight champion Arlen Lopez with the chance to guarantee all three points against Colombian Jorge Vivas, but it was not to be as his opponent grew into the bout in the second and third rounds and earned a split decision win. 

The heavyweights were fourth into the ring with Colombia's veteran Deivis Julio Blanco given the task of meeting the undefeated Erislandy Savon to keep his team in the match. 

Savon shaded the first round but then allowed Blanco to get back into the bout and take a lead that he did not relinquish, inflicting his opposite number's first WSB defeat in 22 bouts.

The decisive light-flyweight bout saw a rematch of the Rio 2016 Olympic semi-final between Colombia’s Yurberjen Martinez and Cuba’s Johanys Argilagos, with the former coming out on top as he did in the Brazilian city last year.

Martinez was again able to stifle his opponent and with Argilagos unable to find his all-important rhythm, the Olympic silver medallist was able to reach his target repeatedly. 

Argilagos was left chasing the bout and it was Martinez who was deservedly awarded a unanimous win to seal a memorable victory. 

There was also a 3-2 win today in the same group for Caciques Venezuela, who defeated Argentina Condors in front of a home crowd at the Domo José María Vargas in Vargas.

The light-flyweights got the evening underway, with Caciques’ Angelino Cordova facing Rio 2016 Olympian Leandro Blanc for first honours.

The Venezuelan began the brighter of the two, with some sharp counter attacking proving effective against the Argentine southpaw.

But once Blanc got going, finding his range with his left hook, a narrow win was assured and the Argentinians had an early lead.

Venezuelan bantamweight Jose Diaz’s solid left had Condors’ Elias Gonzalez rocked one minute into their contest, and after flooring his opponent three more times in quick succession, the referee had no choice but to halt the contest and award him the win.

The hosts' Luis Arcon was then able to build on that momentum in his light-welterweight  contest with Condors' experienced Ronan Nahuel Sanchez, effectively channelling his aggression into some free-scoring combinations to win all five rounds and register a unanimous points win.

At 2-1 up and sensing a crucial three points, Caciques’ middleweight Endry Saavedra delivered a stylish return to WSB against newcomer Leandro Almiron.

Saavedra launched a volley of left-handed jabs in the opening minutes, controlling the first round and going on to dominate the contest and secure his team the all-important win.

The Condors were not finished though and the ever-impressive Yamil Alberto Peralta made sure the Argentinians left with a first point of the season courtesy of a resounding victory over Caciques' Alfonso Flores.

The Venezuelan could find no answer to Peralta, who again showed his quality with a dominant display.

WSB action is due to continue tomorrow with two Group C matches.

Astana Arlans Kazakhstan play host to China Dragons in Atyrau, while the Uzbek Tigers welcome Patriot Boxing Team to Tashkent.