Astana Arlans edged a thrilling contest ©WSB

Astana Arlans Kazakhstan were forced to dig deep before edging past China Dragons in a pulsating tie to top Group C of the World Series of Boxing (WSB) in Sanya today.

It came in a topsy turvy contest at The Mangrove venue which belied the first and last place status of the two teams in the group.

Guo Zhang gave the home team the best possible start after being awarded victory by all three judges in his flyweight contest against Anvar Muzapavrov. 

Parity was swiftly restored as lightweight Zakir Safiullin was awarded a split decision success over Wang Sen.

One judge scored it 48-47 in favour of the home fighter, but the other two both awarded the visitor a 49-46 success.

Next up Richabilige Hurichabilige impressed in winning 3-0 over Aslanbek Shymbergenov at welterweight.

Zakir Safiullin, right, pictured in action in last year's WSB semi-final, was among the Astana Arlans winners today ©Getty Images
Zakir Safiullin, right, pictured in action in last year's WSB semi-final, was among the Astana Arlans winners today ©Getty Images

But once again the tenacious Kazakhs hit back.

Arman Risbek first produced a crushing below within the first minute to leave light-heavyweight rival Wang Lida on the canvas for a knockout.

It took a fourth round to split Wang Zhibao and Olzhas Bukayev in the finale after all three judges scored the first three 38-38.

Bukayev eventually outlasted his super-heavyweight opponent though to cap off the win.

The Arlans therefore progress as group winners into the quarter-finals alongside Russia's Patriot Boxing Team.

They won an equally thrilling match 3-2 last night over the Uzbek Tigers.