McCormack impressive for GB victory

The 20-year-old, from Washington, won with ease against Abdellah Boudrer when helping Great Britain beat Morocco 3-2.

McCormack finished 2015 in fine style with success at the GB Championship in Sheffield followed by a silver medal at the Olympic Test Event in Rio.

And he impressed in Casablanca when he set the Lionhearts on their way to back-to-back victories in the World Series of Boxing following last month’s triumph in the USA..

The Birtley ABC star McCormack boxed at range and used his superior boxing skills to secure a unanimous points win over Boudrar.

He was followed into the ring by Frazer Clarke who gave an impressive account of himself on his WSB debut, overpowering Ahmed Bourous and twice sending his man to the canvas on the way to a unanimous win.

A mature performance by fellow debutant, Muhammad Ali, who defeated Abdelali Daraa in the flyweight bout, gave the British team an unassailable lead.

A spirited fightback saw the Moroccan team reduce the deficit to 3-2.

The 2015 world champion, Mohammed Rabii, who ended the world dreams of Sunderland’s Josh Kelly in that tournament, outpointed Ekow Essuman at welterweight.

Hassan Saada overcame WSB debutant, Thomas Whittaker-Hart in the light-flyweight contest, but it was not enough to prevent the Lionhearts leaving Casablanca with all three points and an unbeaten record in the 2016 season.

Next up, the Lionhearts will take on the Mexico Guerreros on Thursday, February 18, in London.

GB bosses have picked two different sides for the opening two assignments, Pat McCormack winning in the first in Miami and now his twin, Luke, triumphing in the second in North Africa.

Horden boxer Anth Hardy was knocked out after just 30 seconds in his British Promoters Challenge belt title fight on Saturday.

Hardy was ruthlessly taken out by Sam O’maison in their light-welterweight clash in Rotherham.

Next up for Hardy is another title match, against Sunderland’s Lee Mould for the Northern Area championship.