IT is tempting fate to suggest that Scotland's boxers may be on course to enjoy their most successful Commonwealth Games ever, but the situation looks promising nevertheless.
With flyweight Reece McFadden already having exceeded all expectations and light-welterweight Josh Taylor looking every inch a potential champion, the pair were joined in the quarter-finals yesterday by two more hopefuls.
Dundee light-flyweight Aqeel Ahmed and Glasgow bantamweight Joe Ham were unanimous points winners against Kenya's Alumasa Keya and Pakistan's Nadir Nadir respectively.
Regrettably, the third member of the trio in action at the SECC, middleweight Kieran Smith of Livingston found England's Antony Fowler - nephew of former Liverpool ace Robbie - too hot to handle, losing on a unanimous decision. It was Ahmed's 22nd birthday and he had further cause to celebrate after revealing that it was also niece Zahra's first birthday and the Festival of Eid, the Muslim equivalent of Christmas Day.
He said: "It's a big day for me and a big day for the Asian community as well. But I can't celebrate, not even enjoy a piece of cake, as I've got to make the weight to fight again in two days time.
"However, nothing beats winning here as a present. That's my first bout over and the ring rust is out of the way."
Ahmed, right, was watched by his brother and sister-in-law, who were making their ringside debuts and he admitted: "I was so glad to get a win and get my first bout out of the way. This fight meant a lot to me and I was a bit nervous and worried beforehand although once I got in there I knew I could win.
"There was a lot of pressure on me, it being my birthday, my niece's birthday, and the fact that the family have never seen me box before today. So I was glad to get the win for all of them and they will celebrate my birthday for me."
The crowd willed the Motherwell-based fighter to win, but Ahmed added: "The atmosphere can affect your focus, it all depends how you handle it. Some people crumble."
Ahmed is next up against Devendro Laishram of India, while Ham, who is threatening to join the professional ranks once his stint at the Games is over, will England's Qais Ashfaq.
Ham began fairly tentatively before stepping up a gear. Although perhaps a shade fortunate to win the first round, he did not did not leave any doubts in the judges' minds once he got Nadir's measure.
He said: "I'm buzzing now that I've got the first one out of the way. That's always the hardest fight at an international tournament and I've been sitting about since last Thursday. But once I got in there it was some reception, the best so far. The atmosphere was unbelievable.
"I was there to do a job but it's also important that you enjoy yourself. I could have stood and had a pure war, but I'm fighting again on Wednesday so there was no point in taking unnecessary shots. I took it nice and easy.
"He was easy enough to pick off, but it will be harder in the quarter-finals and I'll need to be a bit more disciplined."
Ham has boxed Ashfaq twice before. "We have a win apiece," he said. "I have also trained with him with the Great Britain squad so we know each other well. But there's no way he's beating me in front of a Glasgow crowd. Nobody's going to do that - the gold medal's mine.
"I feel very confident. I've trained hard for these Games and they're happening in my home city so it's very emotional. You can't beat this atmosphere anywhere.
"As soon as I threw my first punch everybody was going mental and not even I expected that reception - they nearly took the roof off the place."
Smith was also given every encouragement by the home crowd but it was not enough to make the necessary difference. But at least he had the consolation of a standing ovation for effort at least. "I came to entertain and you could see from the crowd's reaction that they loved the fight," he said. "I always knew it was going to be a huge challenge but I need to learn to keep my hands up although maybe he was a fraction sharper."
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