THE first taste of sporting action at this year's Commonwealth Youth Games began at the Villa Marina in Douglas this afternoon (Thursday).

Boxing competitors from countries including India, Mozambique, Kenya and England have been in action in the Royal Hall.

The opening match was a flyweight battle between Rahul Poonia in the blue corner for India and Carlos Antonio Mandjate in the red corner representing Mozambique.

India emerged victorious 21 to four on points after three rounds.

Tosha the cat - the mascot of the games - was at ringside wearing its boxing gloves and posed for photographs with visitors.

While the first match had been a relatively low-key start to the games, the crowd was a little more vocal for the second match between Nauru represented by Matthew Dexan Martin and Shaffi Bakari of Kenya.

It was won by Kenya, 23 - 10.

In the fourth match Filipe Antonio Mandjate had a disappointing fight as he was knocked out in the first round thanks to an impressive performance by English boxer Samson Sykes.

Action in the other six sports begins tomorrow.

For full results from the boxing so far see www.cyg2011results.com