Alexis Pritchard, one of the most experienced boxers in the New Zealand team, got her Games off to an explosive start when she won by first round knockout today.
Pritchard, who has dropped down to the 57kg division for the Commonwealth Games, outclassed Mantoa Ranone of Lesotho and delivered the knockout blow after 1min 59s of the first round.
The 34-year-old New Zealander, who came out of retirement to build up to the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, has tremendous experience, including an appearance at the London Olympics in 2012.
As things move towards the business end of the competition, she looks as if she will be a handful for most boxers in the 57kg section.
Her next bout is against Sri Lankan Keshani Hansika on April 10.
Meanwhile, Pritchard’s team-mate, Leroy Hindley, continued on his winning way.
In his second outing at the Games, he beat Lesotho’s Mokachane Moshoeshoe in the 69kg division.
It seemed the 25-year-old New Zealander had things well in hand, but when the decision was announced he only was a 4-1 winner. What’s more two judges who voted for the New Zealander did so only by a margin of 29-28. In the judges’ minds at least, there was not much in it.
Hindley next fights tough Northern Irishman Aidan Walsh on April 10.