IT WAS NEVER in doubt, really.
After a pretty traumatic week, with lots of focus on Michael O’Reilly’s failed doping test, preparations have been overshadowed.
So, there was some pressure on 27-year-old Ballymena native Steve Donnelly as the first Irish boxer in the ring in Rio.
Standing in his way was Algerian Zohir Kedache but the 69kg Welter bout was never in doubt as Donnelly was composed throughout, moving swiftly and landing some good jabs.
His opponent thrashed wildly at times and seemed to tire after a messy second round.
It was a unanimous win for Donnelly and he now needs two more victories to be guaranteed a place on the podium.
He’s next in action on Thursday and takes on Mongolian Tuvshinbat Byamba in the last 16.
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