NEWPORT boxer Sean McGoldrick is a double Commonwealth Games medallist at the age of 22 after his quarter-final victory at Glasgow 2014.

The St Joseph’s star is still on course to make history and defend the 56kg title he landed in Delhi four years ago after a split decision win over South African Ayabonga Sonjica.

That guaranteed McGoldrick at least a bronze medal ahead of his semi-final showdown with Michael Conlan of Northern Ireland on Friday.

It was the second successive split decision win for McGoldrick at Glasgow 2014 and he admitted that the tall South African gave him plenty of problems.

“We watched him yesterday and watched the video back and knew he’d just be a nightmare for me,” said the defending champ.

“All his attributes – he’s tall, he’s rangy, he stays out of trouble – meant it was going to be difficult for me.

“He was trying to stay away from me and I was trying to get to him. It was very tactical but I felt more dominant in the last round.

“The last two fights have been against fighters who contrast my style so I had to dig deep again but I beat both of them.

“I’m still on course, just about!

“But nothing is going to be easy at the Commonwealth Games. No fight is easy and if anyone tells you it is then they’re lying.”

Friday’s semi against the highly impressive Conlan will be another difficult task for McGoldrick but he believes he has the experience to come through it and make the final.

“It was a great experience four years ago and it has helped me but against the kind of fighters I’ll be coming up against now it won’t make much difference,” he said.

“There are four great boxers left now so it’s going to be tough but I’m just focusing on my semi-final now.

“It should be a great fight against Conlan. He’s a great fighter but I’ll leave it all in the ring and, whatever the outcome, I’ll be 110 per cent confident that he’ll know he’s been in a fight.”

McGoldrick was cheered on from the stands by St Joes coach Tony Borg and an enthusiastic Welsh contingent in the crowd.

He added: “Tony is here and all my family are as well and I got great support from the crowd as usual.”