Kenny Egan is clearly revelling in his role as Irish boxing captain - he led by example again today by qualifying for the Olympic quarter-finals with an impressive 10-2 dismissal of Turkey's Bahram Muzaffer.
And the Dubliner, who could guarantee himself a bronze medal by beating Brazilian Washington Silva next Tuesday, was delighted to maintain Ireland's 100% record so far in Beijing.
‘I've two good fights under my belt now. I'm captain of the team, going back with another win,’ he said.
‘The whole idea is to keep leading this team into battle. I want to be the first one on the field and the last off it.’
The 26-year-old light heavyweight has only conceded four points in his two bouts at the Workers' Indoor Arena, and is already looking forward to facing Silva.
‘I'm just going to treat it as another fight. The whole idea coming out here was to perform. I'm just going to give it 100 percent. We'll do our homework and will have all the preparation done.’
Egan was greatly encouraged by the displays of John Joe Joyce and John Joe Nevin in their first round wins.
And with Paddy Barnes and Darren Sutherland still to fight, it seems the winning mentality is transferring around the Irish camp.
‘This is brilliant for Ireland...especially after all the doom and gloom after the World Championships last year when only one boxer (Paddy Barnes) qualified.
‘There was a lot of people talking bad about us. I think we're proving our point now,’ Egan added.
