Boxing: Ring fitness key to winning

Fitness holds the key for New Zealand welterweight boxer Daniel Codling, who is one step away from a much-awaited semifinal.

Codling rained blows on first-round opponent Victor Masunga, of Zimbabwe, forcing the referee to call a stop midway through the second round.

Despite his high punch count, the 23-year-old New Zealander looked fresh, appearing as if he could have carried on in the same vein for the maximum four two-minute rounds.

Codling stayed around long enough only to watch his second-round opponent, Olanrewaju Ekundayo, of Nigeria, fight one round.

Ekundayo went on to beat Tureano Dexter Johnson, of the Bahamas.

Confident about his chances of beating the Nigerian on Thursday, Codling is looking ahead to a potential semifinal against Australian Daniel Geale.

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