Steven Donnelly: 'A longer fight might have been more beneficial'

Northern Ireland fighter Steven Donnelly has admitted that a longer fight in his opening bout of the Commonwealth Games might have been more beneficial than a shorter affair.

The welterweight knocked opponent Hasan Asif to the ground in the early stages of his first-round match in Scotland, with the referee bringing the contest to a sharp conclusion.

However, the Northern Irishman would have preferred a more difficult test early on.

"The way it ended I am happy, but maybe a wee bit longer would have done me good. I have been training hard though," he told Sports Mole.

Donnelly will face Oscar Finau in his next match on July 28.