Olympic boxing got underway yesterday (06/08/2016) and so did Team GB’s quest to become a dominant force in world boxing.
Three fighters were in action with Galal Yafai in the welterweight competition, Joe Cordina in the lightweight competition and Lawrence Okolie in the heavyweight competition.
It seemed only right that the first fighter to qualify for the Olympics got the competition underway and that was Galal Yafai’s responsibility.
Joe Cordina hopes to carry on what has been a memorable Summer for Welsh sport as he attempts to win gold as he is the sole representative for Wales in the boxing competition.
Lawrence Okolie’s journey to Rio 2016 started in an attempt to lose weight, inspired by Anthony Joshua, Okolie went to his local boxing gym in an attempt to lose weight and now he is participating in one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
Here is how GB’s fighters did on the first step to Olympic glory.
Galal Yafai victorious
Galal Yafai got the boxing underway in Rio with a disciplined performance against Cameroon’s Simplice Fotsala.
Fotsala did not look prepared and this showed with his mouthguard being dislodged four times during the bout and Yafai was crowned the winner deservedly on points.
Cordina keeps Suarez at bay
In a performance which was a bit more lively than Yafai’s, Joe Cordina and Filipino Charly Suarez frequently traded blows in a fight which saw Suarez on the offensive.
Despite being more ambitious, Cordina was able to keep Suarez at a distance for the majority of the fight and avoid the big shots being made by the Filipino.
Cordina was the victor in what was a performance where he adapted well to his opponent’s style.
Lawrence Okolie's jab the difference
Heavyweight Lawrence Okolie ended the night with another win for Great Britain against Polish fighter Igor Jakubowski.
Okolie’s size proved to be the deciding factor as his reach was creating a lot of problems for Jakubowski which was shown by the bruises on the forehead of the Polish fighter at the end of round 1.
Joshua Buatsi in action today
The only British fighter in action today is light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi who takes on Uganda’s Kennedy Katende at 17:00 BST.