Sean McComb progresses to the last 16 in the boxing World Championships today after he beat Mexico's Lindolfo Delgado Garca in Doha.
The Belfast lightweight claimed a 2-1 rounds victory at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiya Arena and looked comfortable throughout the fight.
The 23-year-old claimed the first round by using his reach and boxing at range, a tactic for which the Mexican had little answer.
Garca wasn't without fight himself, his heavy left hand in the final minute of the opening round a stark reminder that nothing is a given in these championships.
His opponent switched to a more counter attacking style in the second and claimed it on a contentious points decision which meant McComb had it all to do heading into the decider.
Throwing punches of higher veracity and quality, McComb came through the final round and took the bout on a unanimous 29-28 points victory.
“I’m very happy. My coaches got the tactics right,” said the southpaw after the fight. “I said before that if I listen to them and get the tactics right that I’d win."
McComb now faces No 3 seed Albert Selimov of Azerbaijan, whom he lost to in the European Games last June.
The Holy Trinity fighter becomes the third Irish boxer to progress at the championships, Brendan Irvine and Michael O’Reilly already having recorded wins.
Dean Walsh is the only loss of the campaign so far, he lost his opening bout on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Adam Nolan will take on European champ Eimantas Stanionis in the 69kg category this evening.
“It’s a very tough one for him,” said head coach Billy Walsh. “He’ll be in Adam’s face, but Adam is very capable of beating him, we know he has the talent to beat him. Don’t be surprised if he does it tonight.”
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