Rakesh (Haryana) withstood a spirited challenge from R. Pramod (Chhattisgarh) to sneak into the 50kg category final in the National junior boxing championships here.
He won 12-9 on points in a close semifinal bout, which could have swung either way.
The loose-limbed Haryana boxer capitalised on a superior reach to get around his opponent's defence in the opening round and then somehow remained on his feet over the next two. He was chased all over the ring by the stocky Pramod, who chipped away at the lead before time ran out.
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P.L. Prasad of SSCB proved a worthy contender for the 48kg title bout, outpointing hyper-active Ronusanga (Mizoram) 17-10 in the semifinals on Saturday. The Mizo fighter's awkward punching style gave the patient Services lad time to dart in and score points. Sanga got his act together later on, but lost on points.
Amit Panghal (Haryana) and Shyam Kumar (Andhra Pradesh) won n the 46kg and 48 kg semifinals respectively. Amit took a few blows in the opener against Mizo opponent N.T. Lalbiakkimia, then upped the pace in the remaining two rounds to go through 19-8.
Shyam weaved out of his rival's reach, using swift footwork to score and even forced S. Kartick (Karnataka) to take a count. He won 17-9 for a final place opposite Prasad.
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Munish Kaushik waved an effective left at Sandeep Bagri's face in the 52kg semifinals, landed punches in an engrossing second round. The latter kept firing away despite the onslaught to win on individual scores — 28-25 — after points scores were tied 8-8 after three rounds. Tamil Nadu's A. Silambarasan defeated Mizoram's C. Lalchhantluanga in the second semifinal to clinch a final place.