Victory at the Azerbaijan Boxing Federation arena saw the Arlans bounce back from a 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Uzbek Tigers in their last Group D outing, and make it two wins out of two against Azerbaijan following on from a 4-1 success in January.

Baku Fires’ Nasraddin Mammadov made a strong start in the evening’s opening bout against Kazhakstan’s national lightweight champion Zakir Safiullin, but the Arlans star counter-attacked brilliantly as the contest wore on, and was untouchable in the final two rounds as he took a comfortable points win.

Magomed Ibiyev’s move up to flyweight began perfectly in a week four win over Tigers' Abrorjon Kodirov, but the Arlans' experienced Asian Champion Olzhas Sattibayev proved an altogether different challenge.

The 24-year-old Azeri landed some solid punches in the first round but Sattibayev’s determined approach dictated the action as he secured his side’s second convincing points victory of the night.

At 2-0 down, Azeri welterweight Tamerlan Abdullayev then made a name for himself on his debut against Kazakhstan’s Aslanbek Shymbergenov.

In the bout of the day, Abdullayev’s superb final round proved to be decisive and kept the hosts’ dream of a turnaround alive.

The hope was short-lived, however, as Arlans' Nurdaulet Zharmanov overcame Baku Fires' Belorussian boxer Mikhail Dauhaliavets to win by TKO in the second round of their light heavyweight bout and earn the visitors a crucial away win.

The final match-up of the night saw the Fires' 26-year-old star Arslanbek Makhmudov put in a brilliant performance against Kazakhstan’s Nurzhan Bekzatov.

Makhmudov controlled the super heavyweight bout from the outset and although Bekzatov stayed in the battle until the final round, he was surprised by a quick uppercut that left the referee with no choice but to award his opponent a win by TKO.

In Group B, the Morocco Atlas Lions' slim chances of making it through to the play-offs were snuffed out by a determined Mexico Guerreros team who moved up to third place with a 3-2 win at the Salle Omnisport Complexe Mohammed V in Casablanca.

The Guerreros are now just a point behind second-placed USA Knockouts, who they meet later this month in Aguascalientes in a match that could decide who joins British Lionhearts in the next round.

WSB action is due to resume on March 11 when Cuba Domadores welcome Turkiye Conquerors to Havana for a Group A clash.