By Tom Degun

Fred Evans WSBDecember 14 - The UK-based World Series of Boxing (WSB) franchise British Lionhearts claimed an impressive 4-1 victory over the German Eagles in their London debut at Earl's Court.


The Lionhearts made their first appearance at home in the WSB at Celtic Manor in Newport, Wales where they beat Dolce & Gabbana Italia Thunder 4-1 and they recorded the same score in the second home match that saw them leapfrog the Eagles to go second in Group B with nine points and three wins from four fixtures.

The win saw victories for Olympic silver medallist Fred Evans (pictuered top), fellow Olympian Andrew Selby, heavyweight Joe Joyce and Ireland's European light heavyweight champion Joe Ward while there was a controversial split decision loss for Liverpool's Sam Maxwell in the lightweight category.

"It was another good performance by the team and I thought all five boxers did very well," said British Lionhearts performance director Rob McCracken.

"Sam was very unlucky to be on the wrong side of a split decision which is a shame because he did well in his debut in the competition.

"To have won three from four and have a 100 per cent record in our home fixtures is a good start in the World Series of Boxing.

"The boxers are adjusting well to the different format and enjoying the experience."

The evening began with Maxwell's loss to David Joyce of the Eagles.

Despite getting cut in the first round, the Liverpool lightweight showed a variety of punches and looked to be lasting the pace better but saw the result go against him as the judges awarded the contest to Joyce to put the German team 1-0 up.

That was as good as it would get for the visitors as Ward beat Satula Abdulai at light heavyweight before bantamweight Selby put the Lionhearts 2-1 up with a unanimous victory in the next contest, winning every round against Redouane Asloum on all three judges' scorecards.
 
Andrew Selby LondonBantamweight Andrew Selby (right) helped the British Lionhearts to a 4-1 win over the German Eagles

Evans secured the victory with a unanimous win over Vjacaeslav Kerber in the middleweight category before heavyweight Joyce made it 4-1 win with a strong performance against Germany's Philipp Gruner.

The wins for Selby, Ward, Evans and Joe Joyce mean all four are unbeaten in the WSB and have two wins from two contests this season.

"It was great to get the win again for myself and for the team," said Evans.

"The bout was a bit scrappy and I was not at my best but I eventually got the better of him and it is all part of my learning curve."

The Lionhearts have now beaten the USA Knockouts, Dolce & Gabbana Italia Thunder and the German Eagles while their sole defeat has come away to Astana Arlans Kazakhstan.

The British franchise are next away to Ukraine when they face the Otamans on January 12.

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