Indian boxers launched their World Championships campaign on a buoyant note as Sumit Kundu and Neeraj Phogat registered confident victories in Liverpool on Friday.
Sumit, one of the country’s most promising middleweights, stormed into the round of 16 with a commanding unanimous win over Jordan’s Mohammad Al Hussein. From the opening bell, the Army man imposed himself, seizing the centre of the ring and forcing his opponent onto the backfoot.
Both fighters exchanged clean punches, but Sumit’s heavier shots and precise backhand repeatedly pierced the Jordanian guard. By the second round, he had built an unassailable lead and, though he eased off in the final moments, the verdict remained beyond doubt.
The Indian pugilist now braces for a sterner test against reigning European champion and Paris Olympian Rami Kiwan of Bulgaria, who received a first-round bye.
India’s women also opened on a winning note. Neeraj Phogat, competing in the 65kg category, edged past Finland’s Krista Kovalainen 3-2 in a tense split decision, showing grit in a tightly contested affair.
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On Thursday night, Sanamacha Chanu powered into the women’s 70kg pre-quarterfinals with a 4-1 victory over Denmark’s Ditte Frostholm. Using her reach to good effect, the Manipuri landed heavy blows that rattled her experienced rival. She now faces Kazakhstan’s Natalya Bogdanova, a World Boxing Cup gold medallist, in the next round.
There was, however, disappointment in the heavyweight division. Harsh Choudhary bowed out in the opening round of the men’s 90kg after a referee-stopped contest (RSC) defeat against Poland’s Tutak Adams.
India’s campaign continues later on Friday with Asian Games medallist Narender Berwal (90+kg) and Commonwealth Games medallist Jaismine Lamboria (57kg) beginning their challenge.
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