Indians off to a flier at ASBC Asian Boxing Championship

Manoj Kumar (center) after winning the opening bout

The Indian contingent made a strong beginning on the opening day of the ASBC Asian Confederation Boxing Championships in Amman, Jordon on Monday (01 July 2013). 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medalist Manoj Kumar (64kg) registered a resounding victory in the first round of the light welter weight division to advance into the next round of the championship.

Up against AIBA Asian Olympic Qualifiers participant Ibrahim Saleh from Jordon, the 26 year old Indian entered the ring in his gleaming red Monnet outfit (Monnet Ispat Energy Limited are the Team and Kit Sponsors of the Indian Boxing Team). Beginning of the first round and Manoj surprised the short but strong local lad with his aggressive intent and pace. Making full use of his height he dominated the proceedings though out the bout, never allowing Saleh to play his natural game.

By the end of the final round Manoj, a silver medalist at the recently concluded Limassol Boxing Cup in Cyprus had the clear advantage with fatigue setting in the Jordanian boxer. Kumar advanced into the round of 16 with victory by virtue of a unanimous decision. He now takes on Lac Mohamed Dilshan of Sri Lanka on Wednesday (3 July 2013).

Thursday, (2 July 2013) day two of the championship will see two more Indian boxers take to the rings. Silver medalist at the 2012 Senior Nationals Jagroop Singh (81kg) makes his debut at the Asian Championships against Uzbekistan’s Boburbek Yuldashev who, competed in the last edition of the Asian Championships in Incheon. He also secured his career highlight with a valuable silver medal at the Great Silk Way Tournament in Baku this March. Reigning national champion in the light weight division Vikas Malik (60kg) will lock horns with Nooristani Khaibar from Afghanistan.

About the Asian Championship

The Asian Confederation Boxing Championships in Amman, Jordon is Asian Boxing Confederation’s most important continental championships for the men’s elite competitors. The Championships will be the biggest boxing event in the history of the Jordan Amateur Boxing Association. Jordan is a real developing country in the continent and the venue of the championships is the new building at the Sport City Boxing Arena.

The new approved AIBA Scoring System the ‘Ten- Point Must System’ will be used during the whole championships; the competition gear for boxers will include head guard. According to the official entry list, including the athletes, coaches, referees and team officials 368 persons are to take part in Amman, which consists of 167 elite boxers from 27 nations.