By Per Ake Persson

Italian cruiser Fabio Turchi, now 14-0, retained the WBC International Silver title last night in Firenze with a first round stoppage of Argentinean Dario German Balmaceda, 15-17-2.

It was all over at 2.59.

Balmaceda was floored but got up and tried to continue but came under pressure again and the towel came in.

Turchi is promoted in the United States by Evander Holyfield´s Real Deal Promotions and by Boxe Loreni in Italy and Europe. He is the mandatory challenger for the EU title but his co-challenger - and former EU title holder - Alexandru Jur have again relinquished his position.

In the chief support Vigan Mustafa, 19-3, knocked out Nicola Ciriani, 15-2-1, with a left hook 2.50 into the second round to win the Italian light heavyweight title.

IN OTHER NEWS: The British Lionhearts had a difficult start to the new season of World Series Boxing (WSB) as the team lost its opening fixture last night, 3-2 to the France Fighting Roosters in Paris.

Shock defeats for Galal Yafai and Peter McGrail, got the Lionhearts off to the worst possible start.

Yafai looked to have the upper hand in his light-flyweight contest with Samuel Carmona and it was a surprise when the judges awarded the bout to the Frenchman.

European champion, McGrail did not reach his usual high standards in the bantamweight bout and, although one judge saw the bout as a draw, the other two gave it to his opponent Samuel Kistohurry.

Birtley ABC’s Luke McCormack got the British team back in the match with a unanimous win over Massi Tachour in the light-welterweight match.

But a defeat for one of the Lionhearts’ overseas selections Eumir Marcial in his middleweight contest with Nizar Trimech gave the French team an unassailable 3-1 lead and victory on the night.

A debut win for the Lionhearts second overseas pick, David Nyika of New Zealand, in his heavyweight bout with Krystian Dimitrov restored some pride but was not enough to prevent the British team leaving France without a point.

British Lionhearts, Senior Coach, Lee Pullen said: “It is disappointing to lose the match, but we are happy with the way the boxers acquitted themselves.  This was the first contest of a new season and there was a bit of ring rust at times, but I am confident the boxers will all push-on from here.