NEWPORT’S Sean McGoldrick won his bout but the British Lionhearts suffered a disappointing 4-1 defeat against the Dolce & Gabbana Italia Thunder team at Palmaggio in Caserta on Saturday night.
The Lionhearts remain on course to qualify for the final stages of the World Series of Boxing but the strong and experienced Italian team proved too good in front of their home crowd.
The Lionhearts put in a series of brave performances but received no reward for their efforts as the Italians secured revenge for the 4-1 defeat inflicted upon them in the return fixture at Newport’s Celtic Manor in November.
The highlight of the night for the Lionhearts came in the first bout of the evening as Newport’s 2010 Commonwealth Games champion McGoldrick confirmed his status as one of the best bantamweights in WSB with his third away win of the season to maintain his 100 per cent record in the competition.
The St Joseph’s star beat Riccardo D’Andrea but his team-mates could not match McGoldrick’s efforts.
Lightweight Josh Taylor lost to Domenico Valentino.
Middleweight Kaupo Arro was beaten by Vincenzo Mangiacapre Light-heavyweight Joe Ward lost out to Adelhafid Benchalba.
And heavyweight Uaine Fa was beaten by Clemente Russo.
The result means the Lionhearts remain in third place in Group B with 12 points, behind Italia Thunder on 14 and the Astana Arlans Kazakhstan on 21. The team needs to finish in the top four to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition and the opportunity to compete for the €1million first prize.
Lionhearts coach Lee Pullen said: “I thought the boxers acquitted themselves well in a very tough environment but their efforts were just not enough to sway the judges. “The team is still well placed in the World Series of Boxing and with two home fixtures to come we remain confident of making it into the next stage.”
The Lionhearts return to London this week to put their 100 per cent home record on the line against the unbeaten Group B leaders Astana Arlans Kazakhstan on Thursday night at York Hall in London.
Tickets prices start at £20 and can be purchased at www.britishlionhearts.com or from York Hall on the door.
For more information on the British Lionhearts see www.britishlionhearts.com or follow @Brit_Lionhearts on twitter.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here