Victory for St Joseph's boxer Joe Cordina

Gold medal prospect Fred Evans and Ebbw Vale’s Ashley Brace failed to even make the Commonwealth Games after having their accreditation refused.

And world number one Andrew Selby was shocked by Scotland’s Reece McFadden in his first bout on Friday.

Cordina, who trains with Selby and defending champion Sean McGoldrick at St Joseph’s gym in Newport, admitted there was pressure on him to deliver.

“You come to a tournament like this and you are a team but once you step through them ropes you’re on your own so I try not to think about what happened to Fred and Andrew and just concentrate on myself,” he said.

“But there is pressure on me. It was the second bout for Welsh boxing and I’ve got the first win. Hopefully the rest of the guys and girls can carry on the wins.”

In a close contest, Cordina took the judges’ verdict via a split decision and he was delighted to beat his Team GB rival in the 60kg category.

“That was a gold medal bout for me,” he said. “We’re in the GB set-up together and that kind of settles who is number one.

“It was a tough draw and I’ve just got to keep performing well now.

“I thought I won the first quite comfortably,” he added. “The second round was a lot closer and I thought he could have taken it.

“Then I thought the cleaner shots from myself in the last round won the bout.

“It’s the best I’ve felt and hopefully I can carry on winning.”

That might be easier said than done as Cordina faces David Gauthier in the next round.

The Canadian stopped the St Joes fighter in the first round when they fought in May.

"I boxed David Gauthier in my last bout and I got beat controversially so hopefully I can have a bit of revenge," said the 22-year-old.

"I've always wanted to win a gold at the Commonwealth Games and I wouldn't be here if I wasn't confident."

On his Selby's shock defeat, Cordina added: "Things like that happen in a boxing. Selby didn't box too well yesterday."