Mixed fortunes on opening day

Nisar through to last-eight, Sardar loses in China Open of Boxing.

GUIYANG:

Pakistan’s Nisar Khan entered the quarter-finals of the China Open of Boxing after defeating Korean pugilist Woo Sungjae 9-6 in the middle-weight bout. While Nisar earned laurels on the opening day of the tournament underway in Guiyang, another Pakistan boxer Sardar Mohammad fell to local player Jiang Jenwi in his first fight.

Nisar, who won a bronze medal in the last edition of the championship, started off well against Woo and took most of the points through a combination of left and right punches. The Korean, however fought back in the second round before Nisar, a Saff Games gold medallist, won the following rounds to confirm a berth in the last-eight.

“I’m delighted because it was a tough fight,” Nisar told The Express Tribune. “This win will give me a lot of confidence for the quarter-finals. I’m looking forward to it.” Nisar will face China’s Liu Bing tomorrow.

‘He lost his rhythm’

Mohammad, who suffered a 9-5 defeat, was off to a reasonable start before losing his rhythm. “I’m disappointed with my performance,” said Mohammad. “I’ll try and focus on the positives from the event so that it can help me in the future.”

Pakistan coach Ali Baksh was unhappy with the boxer and said that it was a fight Mohammad should have won.

“He started very well and put his opponent under a lot of pressure,” said Baksh.

“He failed to take advantage of his opponent and lost the fight. It was a tough match but Mohammad is better than this.”

Amir awarded bye

Meanwhile, Amir Khan confirmed a place in the quarter-finals of the light-welter weight category after being awarded a bye in the first round. He will face Sakenov Ermek of Kazakhstan on Wednesday for a place in the last-four.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 30^th, 2011.