India’s Thapa through to World Boxing Championship semifinals

The 21-year-old Thapa, a quarterfinalist in the 2013 World Championship, moved swiftly and dominated his German-born opponent from the word go.  Thapa pushed the Qatari to a corner consistently in the first round with some lightning-quick punches.

Although taller and with better reach, Erseker, an AIBA pro boxer, was clearly wary of the Indian, who had advanced to the quarterfinals with a sensational knockout verdict.

Thapa went all out in the second round in a bid to land his feisty right-and-left hooks, managing to do so towards the end of the second round.

The contest was almost in his kitty, but that did not stop Thapa from curbing his natural, aggressive style in the final round.

Vikas Krishan will meet Egyptian Hosam Abdin in the middle weight 75kg category quarterfinal later on Saturday.

On Friday night, Satish Kumar went down to experienced Turkish boxer Ali Eren Demirezen in the second round of the super heavy +91kg category. Kumar, who got a first round bye, lost 0-3 on points in a bout that witnessed some heavy-hitting over three rounds.