Sport

Michael Conlan cruises into quarter-finals in Rio Olympics

&nbsp;Michael Conlan entered the competition as the number one ranked bantamweight<br />Picture by PA
 Michael Conlan entered the competition as the number one ranked bantamweight
Picture by PA
 Michael Conlan entered the competition as the number one ranked bantamweight
Picture by PA

MICHAEL Conlan has progressed to the bantamweight quarter-final stages in Rio, with a convincing points victory over Aram Avagyan.

Number-one-seed Conlan cruised to victory over Armenia's Avagyan with the result never looking in doubt. 

Conlan will now face Russia's Vladimir Nikitin, who beat Thailand's Chatchai Budtee on a split decision.

Irish Boxing hopes now rest on the shoulders of Conlan and Katie Taylor, with the rest of Team Ireland, including Paddy Barnes and Steven Donnelly, having all been eliminated. 

Conlan's quarter-final bout is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

Katie Taylor will face Finland's Mira Potkonen the women's lightweight quarter-final tomorrow at 3pm.