World Boxing Championship | Amit Phangal and Gaurav Bhiduri get India off to a victorious start

08/26/2017

Amit Phangal(49kg) and Gaurav Bhiduri(56kg) defeated Federico Serra and Sam Goodman respectively to advance to the second round on day 1 in Hamburg. Amit will next face seventh seed Carlos Quipo of Ecuador while Gaurav will take on sixth seed Mauritius' Jean-Jordy Vadamootoo on Saturday.

India kicked off their campaign at the World Boxing Championship on a winning note owing to some commendable performances from Amit Phangal and Gaurav Biduri.

Both Amit and Gaurav were making their debuts at the world event, and both made an impact in the competition straight away. Amit was the first to take the ring against Italy's Federico Serra. The Asian bronze-medalist started the match sluggishly, providing his rival easy openings to attack him in the first round. However, the 21-year old clawed back into the game with some well-placed hooks and straights in the second and third rounds to swing the match in his favour. The Haryana lad was at his finest in the dying minutes of the third round which helped him edge past his Italian rival with a split verdict in his favour.

"This is my first year in the senior circuit and so far it has turned out to be quite well. I am happy with the results I am getting," Amit told PTI.

The Haryana boxer has made a climb to the senior circuit silently and will be looking to take the fraternity by storm on his debut at one of the biggest stages in boxing.

"Yes, I have never been among the most talked about in the youth circuit, didn't get too many opportunities either but at the senior level, I am trying to make a mark. I spent an entire year trying to figure out my weaknesses and that is what is getting me results now," he added.

"I take pride in being a hardworking boxer. I slog a lot and that is getting me the results perhaps," he concluded.

Amit will next take on the nimble-footed Carlos Quipo from Ecuador in his second round on Saturday. Quipo will be a difficult challenge for the Indian boxer and will start fresh against Amit after being given a bye in the first round.

Gaurav was the next Indian to take the ring and he was pitted against Sam Goodman, an 18-year-old world youth bronze-medallist and Oceania champion.

Gaurav owing to his short height was at disadvantage to an extent as his reach was restricted. However, the 23-year old used his pace to overcome the height factor and a flurry of constant and quick attacks took his younger opponent by surprise who had little to offer in retaliation. Gaurav's brilliant upper cuts and nimble-footed performance paved the way for the Indian being declared as the winner of the match by a unanimous decision from the judges.

Gaurav will resume his campaign on Saturday against sixth seeded Mauritian Jean-Jordy Vadamootoo.