Australia's Jason Whateley was among those to progress on the opening day of action ©Boxing Australia

Australia’s heavyweight Jason Whateley made light work of his opening fight at the Oceania Boxing Confederation Boxing Championships in Gold Coast.

The top seed in the weight division produced an assured performance against Samoa’s Filimaua Hala.

Whateley, who represented Australia at the Rio 2016 Olympics, earned victory by a unanimous decision.

He will now face New Zealand’s David Kieran Nyika in the gold medal match, with his rival having won against Papua New Guinea’s Talamoni Clayton Kami today.

Australian success continued with Andrew Hunt progressing in the men’s bantamweight division.

He defeated Papua New Guinea’s Andrew Aisaga.

At the same weight there were victories for Tonga’s John Barry Slade Moldeni and New Zealand’s Leroy Clinton Hindley.

They overcame Samoa’s Uilaomatagi Ropeti Sinapatia and Mel-Lachlan Halstead of Nauru respectively.

The event is acting as the final qualifier for the World Boxing Championships ©Boxing Australia
The event is acting as the final qualifier for the World Boxing Championships ©Boxing Australia

Papua New Guinea’s John Ume upset the host nation in the light-welterweight event.

He ended the challenge of Australia’s Daniel Heyes.

It is the last of the five Continental Championships that serve as direct qualification routes to the International Boxing Association's World Boxing Championships, due to be held in the German city of Hamburg between August 25 and September 2.

The two finalists in each of the 10 weight categories will secure their places in Hamburg.

Action will continue tomorrow, with the finals due to take place on Thursday (June 29).