FLYWEIGHT boxer Patrick Chinyemba's victory and progression to the quarterfinals was the highlight of day 4 for Team Zambia at the on-going Commonwealth Games.
Few doubted Chinyemba's ability to advance from the round of 16 during his first bow in a Commonwealth Games ring, but when the moment came, everyone connected with the Zambian flag in the National Exhibition Centre arena seemed stunned by his performance.
The 21-year-old needed only two rounds of three to knock Papua New Guinea's Charles Keama and book his way into Wednesday's quarterfinal clash against Australia's Alex Winwood.
Although the fight looked explosive on paper, with Keama boasting age and fighting experience, it was clear 30 seconds into round one that Chinyemba had the advantage when his left jab saw the islander's knees touch the canvas.
An exchange of jabs followed, but by the end of the first round, all five judges ruled in favour of the Zambian.
Chinyemba started the second round with the confidence of someone who had smelt the aroma of victory, hence it came with little shock when he threw a flurry of hard blows in Keama's way in a bid to claim a quick win.
The technique worked, and with seconds to spare on the watch, Trinidad and Tobago top referee James Beckles stopped the fight on a technical knockout decision.
"It was great, he gave me a nice fight but it was just a warm up for me," he said after the bout.
Coach Wisdom Mudenda commendable Chinyemba's performance.
"The fight was okay, the boy fought according to what we had planned. We told the boy if a chance comes to stop him, stop him."
Stephen Zimba will hope to follow suit on Tuesday evening as he takes aim at Northern Ireland's Eugene Mckeever in the welterweight category.
The Irish already boasts an appearance at the World Championships, something which could give him belief going into this fight.
This promises to be an exciting bout.
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