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The quarterfinals of the AIBA World Boxing Championships were a 50-50 affair for India, as Shiva Thapa cruised to a win against home side favorite Hakan Erseker but Vikas Krishan Yadav lost to Egypt’s Hosam Abdin.
Thapa’s fight began with a short feeling out process in round 1, which quickly segued to both throwing big shots. Thapa was more aggressive and landed good combinations, but got caught with a good left hand at one point. His Qatari opponent was hard to hit because of a low stance but that didn’t stop Thapa from landing good punches at the end of the round. The Indian won the round on all 3 judges’ cards.
The second round saw both being more active right from the outset. But the round would be a messy affair, with too much holding which prompted the referee’s intervention much too often. Thapa landed a few good left hands at the fag end of the round, convincing all three judges to award him the round.
Thapa came out in the third show exhibiting his famed quick feet, as he danced around the desperate Qatari. Erseker swung for the fences, knowing that he was down on the scorecards. Thapa landed a couple of lefts here and there, and cruised unperturbed to a 3-0 decision win. India’s youngest boxing Olympian will move closer to an Olympic berth as he fights for a bronze in the semifinal.
In the second quarterfinal, Vikas Krishan yadav went up against 30-year-old Egyptian Hosam Abdin. The first round began with Vikas in the center of the ring, with Abdin circling him. The Indian threw more punches as opposed to the Egyptian whose hands were quite sedentary. Surprisingly, 2 of the 3 judges awarded the round to Abdin.
The second round was fast-paced from the opening bell, Abdin playing hide-and-seek and landing a couple of shots occassionally. Vikas finally found success cutting angles towards the end of the round as he cornered the Egyptian in the las minute and connected with a few hard punches. But that wouldn’t stop all 3 judges from awarding round to Abdin.
Abdin’s startegy showed tangible dividends in the last round, as Vikas’ punches didn’t have much power behind them. The shrewd Egyptian continued to waltz around the tired Indian, landing quick shots to notch up points. The fight was paused so the doctor could take a look at a cut above Vikas’ right eye. The fight ended with Abdin’s hand raised and him becoming the first Egyptian to see the semi-final of the AIBA World Boxing Championships.
