Deepak, Poonam Advance at Boxing World Cup Stage 2 in China

New Delhi: Deepak and Poonam emerged as the lone Indian winners on the opening day of the Boxing World Cup (Stage 2) in China, advancing to the next round of their respective categories, while seven other Indian boxers suffered defeats.

Competing in the women's 54kg category, Poonam registered a convincing 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan's Aziza Yokubova in the preliminary round of 32 to move ahead in the competition. Deepak joined her in the next round after producing an equally dominant display in the men's 70kg division, defeating Turkmenistan's Bayramdurdy Nurmuhammedov by a unanimous 5-0 verdict in the preliminary round of 32.

The remaining Indian boxers, however, could not progress further.

In the preliminary Round of 16, Rishi Singh (50kg) lost to Azerbaijan's Subhan Mamedov, while Sanamacha Chanu Thokchom (75kg) went down against Canada's Tammara Thibeault. Sawan Gill also bowed out after suffering a defeat to Norway's Omar Shiha in the men's 90kg category.

In other preliminary contests, Anmol (60kg) was narrowly beaten 2-3 by Salim Ellis Bey (USA). Meanwhile, Harsh Choudhary (90kg) had his bout stopped prematurely, losing to Sweden's Elwin Belezika via Referee Stops Contest due to Injury [RSC (I)] in the third round. IANS

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