Heavyweight Garyn McAllister made it two quarter-final wins from two for Team NI boxers with a unanimous points win over Ghana’s Jibirl Muntair.
McAllister will return home with at least bronze, securing a second medal for the boxing team following Kaci Rock’s victory earlier on Tuesday.
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The Belfast man weathered the early storm from Muntair and took over from there to the delight of his large support.
“I expected to be out on Sunday, so I had to do a lot of waiting about and it was all worth it as I’ve got myself a medal,” said a delighted McAllister.
“I had half of Belfast there – I brought them all with me. This is a big thing, representing your country at the Commonwealth Games so my friends and family have all come out for me and I appreciate that.”
There was no feeling out period as both looked for powerful right hands and had their success, but McAllister was a little bit better off the jab to win the approval of all five judges.
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Muntair’s pace slowed in the second and this allowed McAllister to take over with his movement and jab leaving the Ghanian swinging at fresh air as the North Down club-man continued to dominate on the cards.
McAllister simply had to avoid any slip-ups in the final round and did so, boxing his way into a semi-final with Wales’ Connor Williams on Friday afternoon and a bronze medal.
‘I don’t wear bronze jewellery, only gold’
Rock became the first Team NI boxer to secure a medal at the Glasgow Games [Getty Images]
Rock also impressed in her victory over Niue’s Karen Te Ruki Pasene in their welterweight quarter-final, forcing three standing counts on her way to a unanimous decision win.
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Rock will now face Scotland’s Caitlin Rainey on Friday morning in an effort to turn her bronze into silver.
“I’m delighted to get the first medal for the boxers,” the 23-year-old told BBC Sport NI.
“There was a bit of pressure going on with this being my first fight. I’m delighted but I’m not finished yet. I don’t wear bronze jewellery, only gold, so I’m not changing that for anything.”
As the opening round progressed, Rock took greater control, snapping the head of the Niue fighter back with flush right hands to sweep the round and continued into the second, forcing two standing counts.
The Holy Trinity club-woman continued to dominate in the final frame, forcing a third count and although Te Ruki Pasene was allowed to see it out, Rock was comfortably through.
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