The two teams met in the last four of the competition in 2016 with the British team claiming a 7-3 aggregate victory.

However, they were blown away at the Kostanay Sport Palace last week and fell 4-1 behind.

Astana built on that lead by adding further points at York Hall in London today to reverse last year's score and give them an overall 7-3 victory.

Action began in the flyweight category with Olzhas Sattibayev striking first for the visitors.

He recorded a split decision victory over Niall Dean Farrell.

The Lionhearts were then forced to abandon the second fight of the evening, losing overall as a result.

Astana lightweight Zakir Safiullin proved too strong for New Zealand born Lionhearts representative Chad Milnes, with the hosts calling time on the fight in the third round.

Aslanbek Shymbergenov recorded a third straight Kazakh victory of the night in the welterweight division.

The reigning national champion claimed a unanimous points victory over India's Manoj Kumar, who was competing for the Lionhearts.

Thomas Hart won the British team's first point of the evening at light heavyweight but the tie was already over by this point.

He claimed a split decision victory over two-time Kazakh champion Arman Rysbek, who had been undefeated over five rounds prior to today.

Patrick Mailata then handed the Lionhearts a second victory of the night in the super heavyweight clash against Nursultan Amanzholov.

Mailata of New Zealand was dominant with the Kazakh team throwing in the towel during the third round.

Cuba Domadores must overturn a 3-2 deficit against the Colombia Heroicos if they are to reach a fourth consecutive World Series of Boxing final in the second semi-final.

The second leg is due to take place tomorrow, with Cuba, the defending champions, hosting at Coliseo Ciudad Deportiva in Havana.