World Women’s Boxing Championships | Saweety Boora advances, Neeraj Phogat suffers controversial defeat

Former silver-medallist Saweety Boora (75kg) advanced to the pre-quarters with a dominating 5-0 win over Mongolia’s Myagmarjargal Munkhbat in the opening round on a mixed day for India at the World Women’s Boxing Championship in Ulan-Ude on Saturday. Boora was awarded a convincing win in which she showed herself to be the better boxer with better accuracy in her punches. Even though the Mongolian clawed her way back in the final three minutes, it turned out to be a case of too little too late. Boora will face second-seeded Welshwoman Lauren Price in the pre-quarters bout.

Earlier, Neeraj Phogat (57kg) bowed out after a controversial loss in her first-round bout. Phogat gave it her all in the clash against China’s Qiao Jieru but it did not prove to be enough for the judges who ruled against her in a 2-3 split decision. The Indian was clearly superior and kept her composure against an opponent, who hardly showed any technique. The Chinese boxer was flinging her arms aimlessly, defending awkwardly and grunting relentlessly, she even coped a warning for excessive holding.

But in a stunning call, the judges gave her the nod, leaving the Indian dejected, who was competing in her debut world championship.

As per the new norms introduced by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) to ensure better judging, the Indian contingent officially protested against the arguable call made by the judges but their appeal was turned down by the technical committee.

According to the rules, teams are entitled to two failed protests. The coaches are required to raise a yellow card within a minute of the bout getting over followed by a USD 1000 payment within half an hour to seek a review of any decision. The technical committee is handed the responsibility of accepting or rejecting a protest but once it chooses to accept, a decision is made only at the end of the day’s session.