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Northern Ireland's Michael Conlan beat Qais Ashfaq to Commonwealth gold

Michael Conlan of Northern Ireland beats England's Qais Ashfaq in the bantamweight final at the Commonwealth Games.

Northern Ireland's Michael Conlan has beaten Qais Ashfaq of England to clinch the bantamweight gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.

Both fighters were wary of making a mistake in the first round, but that didn't have an impact on the pace of the fight as Ashfaq enjoyed the better of some quick exchanges of punches to land a few clean blows to take the opener.

Conlan was forced onto the front foot in the next three minutes, and he experienced some joy with a series of body shots to concern his opponent, who was happy to adopt a counter-attacking approach.

A closer second round was awarded to the Northern Irishman, and he continued his momentum in the decider as Ashfaq was caught with a number of powerful punches in the closing stages.

Conlan's impressive finish to the bout was the deciding factor, with the judges confirming a unanimous points victory for the 22-year-old.

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Callum Mulvihill
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Qais Ashfaq of Team GB poses for a portrait during the Team GB kitting out event ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Loughborough University on July 3, 2012
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