SPORTS

Panghal, Hussamudin, Ashish cruise into CWG boxing QF

Source:PTI
August 02, 2022

IMAGE: India's Ashish Kumar Kumar (Blue) directs a left hook on Niue's Travis Tapatuetoa during the Commonwealth Games men’s over 75kg-80kg light-heavyweight Round of 16 bout at NEC Arena in Birmingham on Monday. Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Amit Panghal began his campaign at the Commonwealth Games with a facile victory, storming into the men's flyweight (51kg) boxing quarter-finals on Monday.

The Indian pugilist, a World Championships silver medallist, out-punched Namri Berri of Vanuatu for a unanimous verdict.

Featherweight boxer Mohammad Hussamudin made it two out of two as he also advanced to the quarter-finals with a 5-0 win over Mohammad Salim Hossain of Bangladesh in the Round of 16.

 

Later in the day, light-heavyweight Ashish Kumar (80kg) produced a dominating show to also move into the last eight with a 5-0 decision over Travis Tapatuetoa of Niue.

Panghal, who is participating in his first big tournament after a disappointing show at the Tokyo Olympics, looked in control throughout the three rounds. He used his combination of right-left punches effectively and fought from a distance, compelling Berri to come forward and attack.

Panghal was quick to land a flurry of punches in each of the three rounds as Berri.

With the opening two rounds going in his way, Panghal was content with defending in the final three minutes, saving his energy for the tougher challenges ahead.

He is now one win away from securing his second Commonwealth Games medal. In the last edition in the Gold Coast, Australia, he clinched a silver.

He will face 20-year-old Lennon Mulligan of Scotland next.

"It was a good workout but it was easy. My opponent was good but never gave me any problems," Panghal said after his bout.

"I could have stepped it up but there is a long way to go and I am here for gold. I won silver at Gold Coast and I am here to go one better.

"I am only interested in the gold medal. That's why I took it on points, to get a good bit of work in the ring," he added.

Last edition's bronze medallist Hussamudin also put up a dominant display in a fast-paced bout.

The 28-year-old was at his counter-attacking best as he landed sharp punches while dancing across the ring.

He will fancy his chances of a second CWG medal when he faces Namibia's Tryagain Morning Ndevelo in the quarter-finals.

Source: PTI
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