Commonwealth Games 2022 | Boxers Amit Panghal, Mohammad Hussamudin, Ashish Kumar cruise into quarterfinals

Amit Panghal, who is participating in his first big tournament after the disappointing show at the Tokyo Olympics, looked in control throughout the three rounds

August 02, 2022 06:00 am | Updated 07:24 pm IST - Birmingham:

Amit of India (Red) punches Namri Berri of Team Vanuatu (Blue) during the Men’s Over 48kg-51kg (Flyweight) Round of 16 fight on day four of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at NEC Arena on August 1, 2022, on the Birmingham, England.

Amit of India (Red) punches Namri Berri of Team Vanuatu (Blue) during the Men’s Over 48kg-51kg (Flyweight) Round of 16 fight on day four of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at NEC Arena on August 1, 2022, on the Birmingham, England. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Indian boxer Amit Panghal began his campaign at the Commonwealth Games with a facile win as he stormed into the men's flyweight (51kg) quarterfinals on Monday.

Panghal, a world championship silver medallist, out-punched Namri Berri of Vanuatu via an unanimous verdict.

Featherweight boxer Mohammad Hussamudin made it two out of two as he also advanced to the quarterfinals with a similar 5-0 win over Mohammad Salim Hossain of Bangladesh in the round of 16.

Commonwealth Games 2022 | Defending champions India blank Singapore to enter final

Later in the day, light heavyweight boxer Ashish Kumar (80kg) produced a dominating show to also move to the last eight with a 5-0 unanimous decision win over Travis Tapatuetoa of Niue.

Panghal, who is participating in his first big tournament after the disappointing show at the Tokyo Olympics, looked in control throughout the three rounds.

He used his combination of right and left punches effectively and fought from a distance, compelling Berri to come forward and attack.

Panghal was quick to land a flurry of punches in each of the three rounds as Berri was no match for the Indian.

With the opening two rounds going in his favour, Panghal was content with defending in the final three minutes, saving his energy for the tougher challenges ahead.

He is now one win away from securing his second CWG medal. In the last edition in Gold Coast he had clinched a silver.

He will face 20-year-old Lennon Mulligan of Scotland.

"It was a good workout but it was easy. My opponent was good but never gave me any problems," Panghal said after his win.

"I could have stepped it up but there is a long way to go and I am here for gold. I won silver at Gold Coast and I am here to go one better.

"I am only interested in the gold medal. That's why I took it on points, to get a good bit of work in the ring," he added.

Last edition's bronze medallist, Hussamudin also put up a dominant display in his fast-paced bout.

The 28-year-old Indian was at his counter-attacking best as he landed sharp punches while dancing across the ring.

He will fancy his chances of a second CWG medal as he faces Namibia's Tryagain Morning Ndevelo in the quarterfinals.

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