Boxing: Wins for Team GB pair Anthony Joshua and Luke Campbell

Anthony Joshua (GETTY IMAGES)

Luke Campbell reached the last eight of the bantamweights with a tight 11-9 win over Italy's Vittorio Parrinello at the ExCel last night.

However, it was not a classic performance from Campbell, who is seeded at three, and it looked like the exceptional atmosphere at the rowdy venue influenced his performance. The British amateurs have never fought in front of a crowd like this and have never been at an Olympics with quite the same level of expectation.

Campbell won all three rounds but will need to relax to advance in one of the fiercest weight divisions. "It was the start and I can now get on with getting the gold," insisted Campbell, who should, if he fights to form, reach the final. He made it four wins from four for Britain's boxers.

"It's early but the signs are good and the spirit in the team is high," said Robert McCracken, the head coach of the British boxing squad.

Late last night Britain's highly-rated super-heavyweight prospect Anthony Joshua edged out the talented Cuban Erislandy Savon 17-16 in their first-round contest. Joshua started well but had to withstand a strong fightback from Savon, who is the nephew of triple Olympic champion Felix Savon.