Paddy Barnes is through to the last eight. He dominated the fight, winning all three rounds by a comfortable 15-10 margin of victory.
The Irish Olympic bronze medallist from the 2008 Beijing Games led world number four Essombah 5-3 after round one and 11-7 after the second round.
Barnes is now just one win away from securing another Olympic bronze medal.
Victory in his quarter-final would see him become the first Irish boxer to win medals at successive Games.
Essombah’s accuracy of punching let him down as he lost out to the 2010 European champion in the 49kg division.
Barnes received a bye into the last 16 while Essomba beat Abdlali Darra 13-10 at the last 32 stage.
