World Boxing Championships | I will give more than 100 percent to win gold, says Amit Phangal

Indian boxer Amit Panghal’s phenomenal rise continued, as on Wednesday, he became only the fifth Indian male boxer to reach the semi-final at the World Championships and thus confirm a medal for himself and his country. Manish Kaushik became the sixth, later in the day.

“I used to play counter and wouldn’t attack much earlier. But in the preparations in the run-up to the world championships, I have worked on counters and attacks in tandem, and that too, in a fast-paced manner.”

“The efforts were to increase the number of counterattacks and attacking punches in the second and maximize it in the third round. Then, a boxer has a better opportunity to impress judges and earn more points.”

Describing his quarter-final bout as one of his most difficult matches in the championships so far, Panghal said, “I had to up the tempo in attack and defence. The counter-attacking punches and the pace of it had to be increased many fold so that the opponent could be put under pressure.”

When asked about the pressure of performing when you are tipped as a favourite to win a medal even before the Championships. Panghal praised the coaches and the homework they do for every opponent which helps their ward prepare well.

Defying odds, he beat reigning Olympic champion Hasanboy Dusmatov in a thrilling final to clinch the Asiad gold. Earlier this year, the 23-year-old added another feather to his cap with a gold at the Asian Championships.