Team England boxer Scott Fitzgerald has admitted that he was delighted to get underway in the welterweight boxing competition with a strong win.
Fitzgerald eased past St Lucia fighter Ron Bastien with a third-round knockout on Friday afternoon, and said that he fancied his chances of going far at the Commonwealth Games.
"I'm over the moon just to get that first one out of the way," he told BBC Sport. "The stoppage is a bonus. I've been itching to get in the ring and get started with the business so I'm glad to get my first win.
"The left hook [in the first five seconds] gave me a good start and a boost [for the rest of the fight]. I really appreciate [my fans] coming quite far this morning to support me.
"Fred [Evans] was probably the favourite and he's a top boxer and there's definitely a good chance for me now [with his withdrawal]. I'm super-fit, have got the cobwebs off now so I'll be flying for the next fight."
Evans was denied accreditation for the tournament in the build-up to the Games.
