India, July 25 -- Boxer Sachin Siwach survived a strong challenge from Canada's Keoma Al-Ahmadieh to enter the 60kg division pre-quarterfinals of the Commonwealth Games competition in Glasgow on Saturday.

Siwach, who hails from the boxing hub of Bhiwani, prevailed 4-1 in the first round bout at the SEC Centre. The 26-year-old Indian had beaten Al-Ahmadieh at the Boxam Tournament in Spain earlier this year and at the World Cup in Kazakhstan last year.

The Canadian looked sharper in the opening exchanges but Siwach gradually settled into the contest, using crisp counter-punching to wrest back control. His accuracy in the closing stages of the round helped him edge it 3-2, with three judges awarding him a 10-9 score.

Al-Ahmadieh came out ...