Patrick Mailata helped contribute to the Lionhearts victory ©Getty Images

British Lionhearts recorded their first win of the World Series of Boxing season by whitewashing the Croatian Knights 5-0 on home soil.

The hosts bounced back from their campaign opening defeat to France Fighting Roosters by winning every bout against the tournament new boys at Gateshead Leisure Centre.

Kiaran MacDonald set the ball rolling for his team by winning at flyweight against David Alaverdian, via unanimous decision.

It was then 2-0 after Joe Ward also got the verdict from all three judges at light heavyweight against Damir Plantic.

New Zealander Patrick Mailata then ensured that the best-of-five contest would go the way of the Lionhearts with his super heavyweight bout against Marijan Brnic stopped after three of the five rounds.

Two more unanimous victories followed as Calum French won over Matteo Komadina at lightweight before Pat McCormack proved too strong for Mate Rudan at welterweight.

Elsewhere in the European group, the Fighting Roosters made it two wins from two with a 3-2 success away at Italia Thunder.

Flyweight Gabriel Escobar Mascunano stopped Vincenzo Picardi for one of the French wins at Rome's Palazetto Dello Sport.

There was also a unanimous points win at flyweight for Sofiane Oumiha over Michael Magnesi while Bakary Diabira also got every decision at light heavyweight against Riccardo Valentino.

Italy got on the board thanks to Mirko Natalizi stopping Yannick Dehez at welterweight and Guido Vianello winning unanimously against Mihai Nistor at super heavyweight.