Australias heavyweight Jason Whateley made light work of his opening fight at the Oceania Boxing Confederation Boxing Championships in Gold Coast.

The top seed in the weight division produced an assured performance against Samoas Filimaua Hala.

Whateley, who represented Australia at the Rio 2016 Olympics, earned victory by a unanimous decision.

He will now face New Zealands David Kieran Nyika in the gold medal match, with his rival having won against Papua New Guineas Talamoni Clayton Kami today.

Australian success continued with Andrew Hunt progressing in the mens bantamweight division.

He defeated Papua New Guineas Andrew Aisaga.

At the same weight there were victories for Tongas John Barry Slade Moldeni and New Zealands Leroy Clinton Hindley.

They overcame Samoas Uilaomatagi Ropeti Sinapatia and Mel-Lachlan Halstead of Nauru respectively.

Papua New Guineas John Ume upset the host nation in the light-welterweight event.

He ended the challenge of Australias Daniel Heyes.

It is the last of the five Continental Championships that serve as direct qualification routes to the International Boxing Association's World Boxing Championships, due to be held in the German city of Hamburg between August 25 and September 2.

The two finalists in each of the 10 weight categories will secure their places in Hamburg.

Action will continue tomorrow, with the finals due to take place on Thursday (June 29).

Read more from the original source:

Australian heavyweight advances at Oceania Boxing Championships - Insidethegames.biz (blog)