Boxing World Championships: India's Amit Panghal and Manish Kaushik cruise into quarter-finals

Amit Panghal defeated Turkey’s Batuhan Citfci to enter the quarter-finals of the 52kg category on Tuesday in the men’s Boxing World Championships in Yekaterinburg, Russia by a unanimous 5:0 verdict in a bout that he dominated from start to finish.

Panghal started in aggressive fashion in the first round, landing a number of clean punches with his roundhouse strategy. Citfici looked dazed and despite having a significant height advantage, he could never launch a significant attack in all three rounds.

The Asian champion continued to pile the pressure on the Turk, who, for the better part of the last two rounds was backpedalling. Up close, Panghal’s quick feet served him in good stead after launching a flurry of punches and seeing out danger as well with razor-sharp reflexes. Citfici seldom troubled Panghal and cut a frustrating figure. 

The second-seeded Panghal will next be up against Filipino Carlo Paalam, who had lost to Panghal in the semifinals of the Asian Games in Jakarta last year. "It was a good bout as I fought against an experienced boxer. I will be ready with my strategy for Paalam tomorrow. I dedicate this win to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is celebrating his 69th birthday today," Panghal said after the bout to PTI.

Commonwealth Games silver-winner, Manish Kaushik entered the quarter-finals of the 63kg category by defeating Mongolia’s Chinzorig Baatarsukh, also by a unanimous 5:0 verdict. The gulf in class on this occasion, was not as apparent as it was with Panghal’s bout but the Indian’s technique and judgement stood out in this contest against the fourth-seeded Mongolian.

Baatarsukh also struggled to launch any notable attacks. Kaushik, light on his feet, and playing at a safe distance made life difficult for Baatarsukh in the final two rounds. Kaushik was comfortable by the time the bout entered the final round, as his opponent ran out of steam.

Much like the first two rounds, Kaushik executed quick 1-2 punches and moved out, and there was little doubt of the final outcome.

Manish Kaushik will square off against Brazil's Wanderson de Oliveira, who defeated Japan's Saisuke Narimatsu in his last-16 stage bout.