Lightweight pugilist Jai Bhagwan became the third Indian to be a win away from Olympic qualification by advancing to the pre-quarterfinals of the World Boxing Championship here.

Bhagwan defeated Georgian Vasil Qazishvili 23-16 in an ill-tempered second-round bout at the University of Chicago’s UIC Pavilion to join Jitender Kumar (51kg) and A L Lakra (57kg) in the last sixteen stage.

However, the day ended on a disappointing note for the Indians as Dilbag Singh bowed out with a 9-22 loss to Serb Zoran Mitrovic in the second round of the welterweight category.

Bhagwan will take on Colombian Darley Perez in the pre-quarters on October 31 as boxers take a break from the ring on Monday.

Early lead
The Asian bronze medallist’s bout was exciting from the start as Bhagwan opened a 4-3 lead before the proceedings became aggressive from the second round.

Both Bhagwan and Qazishvili were warned by the referee even as the Indian extended his lead to 17-13 by the end of the third round. Bhagwan dominated the final round to come through 23-16 as his opponent got yet another warning.

In contrast, Dilbag, the best boxer at this year’s National championship, could hardly match his Serbian opponent, who came up with a consistent performance to enter the next round, where he will take on German Jack Keth-Culcay.

On Tuesday, only Lakra among the Indians will take the ring, against Azerbaijan’s Shahin Imranov in the pre-quarters.


Life ban on Romanian boxers
Chicago, PTI: Three boxers from Romania participating in the World meet were banned from amateur boxing for life after they were caught trying to steal from a department store in Chicago, organisers said, AFP adds.

Richard Baker, head of public relations for the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA), said in a statement that Marius Bogdan Dinu (21), Ronald Gavril (21), and Gabriel Julian Stan (20) were caught by surveillance cameras in the Nordstrom department store as they attempted to make off with merchandise.

“The AIBA considers this type of conduct incompatible with its code of ethics,” the AIBA release said, adding that the trio had been ordered home, along  with the chief trainer of the Romanian squad. Their results in the competition have also automatically been nullified.