London 2012 silver medallist Fred Evans was made to work hard before eventually progressing through to the final 16 at the AIBA World Boxing Championships in Kazakhstan.
Evans struggled early on but soon found his range to take a split decision over Georgia’s Zaal Kvachatadze.
It was the southpaw’s first fight at this year’s World Championships and the 22-year-old will be looking to build on this performance as the draw unfolds.
“I’m always the same in competition,” he said, “I’m always a bit rusty in my first fight.
“I fought him before in the 20011 Europeans so I knew what I had to do. Obviously I’m happy that that is out of the way and I can come out stronger for the next one.”
Elsewhere Scottish fighter Scott Forrest joined fellow British hope Ashton Brown in the last 16 of the 81kg class.
Ireland’s Sean McComb also went through after out-pointing Gildas Bangana.
© Sportsbeat 2013