By Shawn Smith
With only one United States fighter boxing in Session 2 of Day 1 at the Rio Olympics, all eyes were on Nico Hernandez in his men's flyweight (49kg) bout against Manuel Cappai.
Hernandez was involved in a nip-and-tuck affair, entering the third round up 2-0 on two cards, with the other judge having the fight 1-1.
Hernandez came out and put his stamp on the fight with an impressive third round, eventually taking a 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28 unanimous decision, securing his spot in the round of 16.
Things don't get any easier for Hernandez in the second round as he'll face Russia's Vasilii Egorov, who enters the tournament ranked second in the division.
That fight is expected to take place during the evening session on August 8.
In an upset, recent world title challenger Hasaan N'Dam of Cameroon, one of three professional fighters who entered the Olympics, was beaten by Brazil's Michel Borges in the first round.
Quick Results:
Men's flyweight (49kg): Jose Velazquez Altamirano (MEX) vs Leandro Blanc (ARG)
Men's flyweight (49kg): Mathias Hamunyela (NAM) def. Rufat Huseynov (AZE)
Men's flyweight (49kg): Nico Hernandez (USA) def. Manuel Cappai (ITA)
Men's lightweight (60kg): Hurshid Tojibaev (UZB) def. Hakan Erseker (QAT)
Men's lightweight (60kg): Joe Cordina (GBR) def. Charly Suarez (PHI)
Men's lightweight (60kg): Anvar Yunusov (TAJ) def. Shan Jun (CHI)
Men's light-heavyweight (81kg.): Hassan N’dam (CAM) def. Michel Borges (BRA)
Men's light-heavyweight (81kg.): Carlos Carrillo Palacio (COL) def. Erkin Adylbek Uulu (KYR)
Men's heavyweight (91kg.): Lawrence Okolie (GBR) vs Igor Jakubowski (POL)
