Turkey's Esra Özyol won the hosts' opening bout in Istanbul ©IBA

Turkish boxer Esra Özyol gave home fans reason to smile, winning the hosts' first bout on the opening day of competition at the International Boxing Association (IBA) Women's World Boxing Championships in Istanbul.

Özyol claimed a unanimous victory against Widad Bertal from Morocco in the under-57 kilograms round of 64 at the Başakşehir Youth and Sports Facility, setting up a clash with Mongolia's Namuun Monkhor in the round of 32.

Joining her in the next round is Irma Testa of Italy, who won confidently by a 4-1 split decision against Mali's Fatoumata Marine Camara and next takes on Japan's Mona Kimura.

Chinese Taipei's Lin Yu-ting recovered from a difficult round one to overturn Sthelyne Grosy of France by a 4-1 split decision to set up her next fight against Tajikistan's Mijgona Samadova.

Romanian Claudia Nechita made it by a 4-1 split too, despite a last-round penalty against the Hungarian Szabina Szucs.

Nechita's next opponent is Karina Ibragimova of Kazakhstan.

Estefani Almanzar de Leon of the Dominican Republic was in the only under-54kg bout today, and made quick work of South African Lethokuhle Sibisi, with the match ending in round two by a referee's stoppage.

Sara Haghighat-joo of Sierra Leone awaits the Dominican.

The under-70kg round of 32 saw a rematch from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, with India's bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain beating Chinese Taipei's Chen Nien-chin in a 3-2 split decision.

Borgohain also won a split decision in the Tokyo 2020 quarter-finals. 

Borgohain's round-of-16 opponent will be Cindy Winner Djankeu Ngamba, representing the Fair Chance Team.

Morelle McCane was dominant in her match against Leonie Müller ©IBA
Morelle McCane was dominant in her match against Leonie Müller ©IBA

The Fair Chance Team allows athletes who have been displaced or who are otherwise unable to compete for their country to take part.

There were plenty of one-sided affairs on day one, including American Morelle McCane's unanimous victory over Leonie Müller of Germany at under-75kg, setting up a last 16 bout against home favourite Sema Çalışkan.

Lisa O'Rourke was the most dominant boxer to win on points today, triumphing unanimously with eight 10-8 scores against the Democratic Republic of Congo's Mbabi Brigitte in the same division.

Valentina Khalzova from Kazakhstan did not need three rounds, ended the hopes of Kenyan Lorna Kusa Simbi in the first round of their bout as the referee stepped in.

Ani Hovsepyan of Armenia came from behind to win early in the third round by referee's stoppage against Ukrainian Mariia Siedaia.

Khadichabonu Abdullaeva of Uzbekistan was the final victor in that middleweight division.

She survived a tough second round to beat Hepseba Angel from the Cayman Islands by unanimous decision.

More IBA Women's World Boxing Championships bouts are scheduled tomorrow.