Boxing Worlds: Nikhat, Manisha in pre-quarters

NEW DELHI: Star Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen out-punched Algeria’s Boualam Roumaysa to secure a pre-quarterfinal berth in the Women’s World Championships here on Sunday.

Last edition’s bronze medallist Manisha Maun (57kg) too advanced to the round of 16 with a 5-0 win against Rahimi Tina of Australia. Competing in the 50kg event, Nikhat beat the reigning African champion by a similar margin to notch her second win in the tournament.

Nikhat, who won gold in the last edition, drew first blood. The Algerian followed suit as the two pugilists tried to get the better of each another. If Nikhat landed a few combination punches, Roumaysa capitalised on the Indian boxer’s open stance to land several blows.

However, the first round went in Nikhat’s favour and the Indian began the next round by going all out. Roumaysa too looked set to come forward and attack. Both boxers played with aggression and resorted to a lot of body clinching but in the end, much to delight of the Indian fans at the KD Jadhav Stadium, Nikhat emerged victorious.

She will now take on Mexico’s Herrera Alvarez Fatima in what will be a rematch of last edition’s round of 32 bout.

Manisha, on the hand, made an aggressive start. She danced around the ring, dominating the bout. She mixed offence and defence, and countered her opponent by maintaining safe distance.

With the crowd chanting her name, Manisha played with confidence as she patiently waited for the right time to land a punch. She will be going head-to-head against Nur Elif Turhan of Turkey in the next round.