India had a mixed day in the boxing ring on Sunday as six-time World champion and 2012 London Olympics bronze medallist M.C. Mary Kom won her first round match, while World Championships bronze medallist Manish Kaushik exited after a valiant show.
Beginning her quest for a second Olympics medal, Mary warded off a strong challenge from Dominican Republic’s Miguliena Garcia to record a 4-1 win and reach the women’s 51kg pre-quarterfinals.
Mary will take on 2016 Rio Olympics bronze medallist and third seed Ingrit Valencia of Colombia.
Competing against an opponent 15 years younger, the 38-year-old Mary displayed slick footwork and landed head shots on Miguliena in the first round even as the latter replied with a few straight punches.
In the second, Mary stepped up the attack through jabs and combination punches which were countered well by Miguliena.
After staying ahead by 3-2 margins in the opening two rounds, Mary came out all guns blazing in the final round, connecting a few solid punches. They were enough to snuff out Miguliena's challenge.
Manish went down fighting 4-1 to 2017 European silver medallist and 2018 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Luke McCormack of Great Britain in a 63kg opening round bout.
McCormack's full range was on view compared to Manish’s single shots, mostly aimed at his rival’s body, as he took the first round 3-2.
Manish switched gears, mixing his powerful head and body shots and finishing 3-2 ahead in the next.
After a closely fought final round, that witnessed blows from both opponents, it was the British boxer who finished on top.
McCormack will face third seed and two-time World champion Andy Cruz of Cuba in the next round.
