Boxing News: Indian boxers shine in Strandja Memorial Boxing Tournament

Asian Games 2018 gold medalist Amit Panghal started the season on a strong note, progressing to the semi-finals and assuring himself a medal after a closely contested 3-2 win to outclass Ukraine’s Nazar Kurotchyn at the 70th Strandja Memorial Boxing Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria. The Indian women pugilists too guaranteed four medals at the end of the third day at the prestigious tournament. Lovlina Borgohain, who won the bronze at the 2018 AIBA World Women Boxing Championships, was first to assure a medal for the women boxers as she registered a a unanimous 5-0 victory over Brazil’s Soarez Beatriz. Following suit was young boxer, Manju Rani, who served Bonati Roberta of Italy the same fate, thrashing her with a unanimous 5-0 verdict. Manju, the current National Champion in 48 kg category sealed her berth in the semis. Former world junior champion Nikhat Zareen (51kg) lived up to the expectations by outclassing Buryam Yana of Belarus 5-0. In the day’s last bout for the women boxers, Neeraj defeated Amelia Moore of USA with a similar result to confirm the fifth medal and berth in the semi-final.