Donnelly into the quarter finals after points win

THERE was no KO explosives but Stephen Donnelly progressed to the last quarter final of the Commonwealth Games in impressive fashion on Monday night nonetheless.

The Ballymena boxer registered the fasted stoppage in the tournament to date as his opening bout lasted just 37 seconds, but he needed three rounds to see of Tonga’s Oscar Finau on Monday night.

The Irish senior champion won every round against the tough Tongan and goes through to Wednesday’s quarter final against Canada’s Custio Clayton.

“It was good. Another three rounds done and it prepares me for the business end of stuff now against the Canadian. I’ll just relax tomorrow now, I have a wee training session just to make the weight,” said Donnelly after the fight.

He added: “I am confident I trained hard for this, it has to happen for me this time. I try not to put too much pressure on myself but it’s always there you know. I have the talent to do it. Overall, we’re going brilliant. Big Stevy Ward was unlucky to lose. He’s a gentleman and I feel he deserved to win. He’ll come again and he’ll join in with the team and keep the spirits up.”