Tasmyn Benny into boxing semis

Tasmyn Benny, taking time off her New Zealand Navy duties, eased into the semi-finals of the women’s 48kg boxing context today.

The win guarantees the New Zealander of a Commonwealth Games medal.

Benny, only 19, won every round on every scorecard of her contest with Botswana’s Lethabo Modukanele. She had far too many all-around skills and also hurt the Botswanan with some good power punches.

The New Zealander’s semi-final will be on April 11 against Northern Irishwoman Kristina O’Hara.

In his first bout of the Games, New Zealander Rich Hadlow went down on a split decision to Sri Lankan Dinindu Vidanalage Don in the 64kg division. The scoring could not have been tighter, but in each round three of the five judges voted in favour of the Sri Lankan.

The 30-year-old Hadlow could count himself unlucky not to have got the decision and be progressing to the quarter-finals.

The final New Zealand boxer in action today, Ryan Scaife, won a comfortable decision over Kenyan Edwin Owuor in the 75kg division.

Scaife, 20, won every round and now faces a quarter-final bout on April 11 against Dieudonne Seyi Ntsengue of Cameroon.