Commonwealth Games 2014: Indian boxers put up terrific performances on day 4

Sumit Sangwan

Impressive Sumit leads slew of Indian boxers’ progress to next round

India’s Sumit Sangwan kept the country’s great run in the boxing ring going when he advanced to the second round of the light heavyweight category (81-kg). The sturdy Indian pugilist, who had lost in the opening round of the 2012 London Olympics under controversial circumstances, rode roughshod over his Tanzanian opponent Mohammed Hakimu Fumu aas he won comfortably by 3-0. He will now have a day’s rest before taking on New Zealand’s David Nyika on Tuesday.

Manoj through to the second round

Earlier on Sunday, reigning champion Manoj Kumar became the first Indian boxer to storm into the quarterfinals of the light welterweight category (64-kg) on Sunday. Manoj, who won the gold in the same category in the 2010 New Delhi Commonwealth Games, put it across Canada’s Arthur Biyarslanov. The Indian pugilist will have a well-deserved rest on Monday after featuring in back-to-back bouts over the weekend. Manoj, who outboxed Lesotho’s Mokhachane Moshoeshoe in the first round, will face England’s Samuel Maxwell in the last-eight stage on Tuesday.

Four Indians in action on Monday

Four Indian boxers will take the ring on Monday. 2008 Beijing Olympics bronze medallist Vijender Singh meets Namibia’s Mujandjae Kasuto in the second round of the men’s middleweight (75-kg) category, while London Olympics quarterfinalist Laishram Devendro Singh meets Sri Lanka’s Madushan Gamage in the light weight category (49-kg).

Shiv Thapa takes on Ireland’s Michael Conlan in the bantamweight category (56-kg) on Monday. Mandeep Jangra will face Jamaica’s Kestna Davis in a second round bout of the men’s welterweight category (69-kg)on Monday. Meanwhile, three Indian women boxers are featuring in this event. Pinki Jangra, L Sarita Devi and Pooja Rani will take the ring on Tuesday.