Irish WSB latest

Willie McLaughlin’s Milano Thunder will be aiming to overturn a 3-2 first-leg deficit when they meet John Joe Nevin’s Paris United in the second leg of their World Series of Boxing quarter-final in Milan tonight.

The Italian side lost out 3-2 to the Parisians in Paris on Monday night and need a big improvement on that performance if they are to make the semi-finals from tonight’s clash.

McLaughlin was the only boxer to win for Milan – their other victory was via a walkover – in the ring on Monday.

London 2012 Olympian Nevin claimed a victory for United, the WSB defending champions, to help United to a 3-2 home win.

Neither McLaughlin or Nevin will be in action this evening.

Thunder welcome back the experienced Clemente Russo and Vicenzo Picardi for tonight’s must-win return leg.

Looking back on Monday’s match, Thunder coach Francesco Damiani admitted that it was a below par performance.

“I expected something a little better. We knew that over two matches we would have the upper hand: Stankovic (who was beaten by Nevin) and Olas met two of the best boxers in this tournament, he said.

“They lined up their best fighters in Paris, and some others good boxers are engaged in the French National Championships. In Milan some of their boxers will fight for the first time in the WSB. We start with an advantage, but we have to be focused.”