Boxing World Championships: Hussamuddin advances to pre-quarters; Ashish eliminated

Hussamuddin beat China’s Lyu Ping in the round of 32 while Asian silver medallist Ashish lost to two-time Olympic Champion Arlen Lopez of Cuba.

After winning the first round unanimously, Hussamuddin upped the ante in the next round and took the initiative to land heavy blows on his opponent while dodging Lyu’s punches. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Double Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Mohammad Hussamuddin (57kg) and National champion Naveen Kumar (92kg) gave dominating performances to cruise into the pre-quarterfinals of the World boxing championships in Tashkent on Friday.

Hussamuddin convincingly beat Chinese Olympian Ping Lyu, while Naveen outsmarted Korean Jaemin Jeong with identical 5-0 margins.

Boxing with good rhythm, Hussamuddin, an Asian bronze medallist, landed some clean left punches and employed his defensive techniques well to take the first round. The Indian southpaw boxed from a distance, moved nicely and mixed his attacks and counters to maintain his upper-hand in the second.

Even as the Chinese stepped up aggression, Hussamuddin handled him clinically to win the final round and the round of 32 contest.

Hussamuddin will take on fourth-seeded Russian Savvin Eduard on Sunday.

Towering southpaw Naveen had no problems in thrashing a much-shorter rival, Jeong. Naveen used his long limbs to execute jabs and delivered combinations when the Korean came nearer. He diligently followed the coaches’ instructions to either deny Jeong space or stay away from his grasp to dictate terms.

Naveen will face Worlds bronze medallist and second-seeded Spaniard Enmanuel Reyes on Monday.

Meanwhile, Asian silver medallist Ashish Chaudhary (80kg) bowed out after losing to two-time Olympic champion and World champion Cuban Arlen Lopez in a close fight. Ashish lost 2-5 after review of the bout.