For Amit Panghal, the Asian Championships gold medal match on Monday might be an Olympic costume rehearsal.
Defending champion Panghal – India’s strongest Olympic medal hope in males’s boxing – will tackle present Olympic and world champion Shakhobidin Zoirov within the 52kg closing. With the subsequent two flyweight contenders anticipated to fulfill in Tokyo, Panghal has an opportunity to get one over his Uzbek nemesis who’ve defeated the Indian twice, together with the ultimate of the 2019 World Championships.
“We know Zoirov really well,” Santiago Nieva, director of excessive efficiency for Indian boxing, advised The Indian Express from Dubai. “He is without doubt one of the prime candidates for the Olympic medal together with Amit. The expertise of preventing him twice tells us just a little bit about which technique to make use of, however every match is completely different. At this stage, you need to be ready for the issues you need to adapt to. Zoeirov is at an excellent stage however he was not unbeatable in 2019 and he’s now not unbeatable.
There are many flyweight contenders in Asia for the time being. The Rio Olympics bronze medalist is Chinese Hu Xianguan, who gained the gold medal after defeating Panghal within the Asian qualifier final 12 months. Also, Thailand’s thriller Thitsisan Panmod, who defeated Joirov in the identical occasion. Kazakh Sakane is Bibosinov, whom Panghal defeated within the 2019 Worlds semi-final rematch final week. But there’s a rivalry to comply with within the Panghal vs Joirov division.
current historical past
Panghal’s first conflict with Zoerov occurred throughout a dream run that started in 2018, profitable silver and an Asian gold on the Commonwealth Games. However, these medals got here within the type of gentle flyweight. And as soon as the 49kg class was dropped from the Olympics, Panghal moved as much as 52kg and gained the 2019 Asian Championships gold and a historic silver on the Worlds, the place he misplaced 0-5 to Zoirov. The key to that loss lies in Punghal’s technique and stature as a flyweight.
As a 5’2 flyweight, Phanghal is a puncher above his weight and top. This Rohtak boy has proved to be a risk to the tallest opponents by maintaining distance and searching for openings. If the Asian Championships gold was about reducing and exiting for fast mixtures, the world silver run was on account of Panghal controlling the gap and ready for the counter. Against aggressive, high-pressure opponents, the technique has labored.
But Zoeirov additionally likes to take his time. The 52 kg gold medalist in Rio is a real flyweight – 4 inches tall with an improved construct. He can also be extra engaging – guards typically decrease if not larger chests, crisp mixtures and well timed clinches – a function sharpened by his entry into skilled boxing. Zoirov gained three professional bouts in 2019 earlier than returning to assist Uzbekistan after defeating his earlier bogeyman Hasanboy Dusmatov by the Indians.
“The difference between professional and amateur boxing is that amateur boxing requires more technical skills and more speed in strikes, so it is more difficult,” Zoerov advised the Olympic Channel in 2019. “For now, my motivation is to become a two-time Olympic champion – the first from Uzbekistan.”
Strategic aspect
In the primary spherical of its world finals, Panghal seemed ahead to a gap. Zoeirov, cautious however lively, gained the spherical and finally the competitors.
After the battle, Panghal discusses his “slow start” with the letter.
“I may have to change it a little bit,” he had stated. “In the primary matches, towards sturdy international locations, I lose within the first spherical. I cowl the factors within the later rounds, however the impression from the primary spherical stays within the second spherical as nicely. I feel we’ve to alter it just a little bit. Attack with the primary spherical and proceed until the final spherical. “
Their second assembly was on the Governors’ Cup in Russia final month. Completing Panghal was to achieve calibration and confidence from fellow flyweight Deepak Bhoria, who defeated Zoeirov within the Strandja Cup in February. As promised, Panghal acquired right into a extra aggressive boxer battle. Step-in jabs and overhand left flushes over Uzbek’s face within the first spherical. Zoeirov competed and the match was extra sluggish. The end result, nonetheless, was the identical: a 5–0 resolution in Zoeirov’s favor, with two judges giving him all three rounds.
Disappointment is at stake in unanimous choices. After the World Finals, Panghal had stated, “The scoreline could have been 3-2. But it was not right to give him so much confidence with a 5-0 decision.” Monday is an opportunity to determine the rating.
“Just because Joirov (from Deepak) lost a bout, it does not mean he is down. The same goes for Amit, ”says Neeva. “Amit is beating top-quality opponents. When you compete many times in amateur boxing, you will always lose at some point. Not everyone (Vasyl) is Lomachenko or Felix Saven. We have faith in Amit’s abilities and we know this is going to be a tough fight.”
Other in motion
Shiva Thapa (64 kg) and Sanjeet (91 kg), who did not make it to the reduce for the Olympics, will purpose to win a gold medal on the Asian Championships. Two-time Olympian Thapa, who grew to become essentially the most profitable male boxer within the championship with 5 consecutive medals, will face Asian Games silver medalist Batsukh Chinjorig of Mongolia. Sanjeet will face Rio Olympics silver medalist Vasily Levitt of Kazakhstan, who’re chasing their fourth gold medal on the occasion.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
