Boxing News
At 1st AIBA World Cup Moscow 2008, Russia

India showed their best performance by winning 4 bronze medals at Boxing World Cup, as our all 4 boxers lost their semi-final matches.

54kg - Bantamweight Semi Final

Akhil Kumar (IND) l Yankiel Leon Alarcon (CUB) 4-4 (on count-back)

Very tactical defensive bout between Akhil and Yankiel ... Akhil produced creditable fight against Olympic silver medallist Yankiel Leon Alarcon from Cuba ... After first 2 rounds both were 2-all, but after 3rd round Cuban takes 1 pt lead but Akhil managed to 4-all after 4th round ... But then in end he lost match on count-back (less punches counted by judges) against Cuban.

Akhil Kumar - "I had worked out a defensive plan for today and he, it seemed, had a similar strategy. We both remained cautious and though I lost, I can proudly say that I gave it my best. It hurts not to have won the gold medal that I always aim for but I am happy that I could give an Olympic silver medallist a run for his money. It was an exciting fight which I enjoyed thoroughly. Anyways my motto in life is get up and keep moving until you achieve your goal."

51kg - Flyweight Semi Final

Jitender Kumar (IND) l Hernandez Laffita (CUB) 4-14

Pan-American champion and Olympic silver medallist Cuban Hernandez Laffita easily defeated Jitender, but after first round Jitender was trailing by only 2 pts (2-4).

Jitender Kumar - "I did pretty well in the first round but lost my composure in after that. It happens but I am happy with the way I performed."

57kg - Featherweight Semi Final

Lalit Anthresh Lakra (IND) l Idel Torriente (CUB) 3-6

Lakra also showed creditable performance in his loss against Cuban boxer Idel Torriente.

81kg - Light-Heavyweight Semi Final

Dinesh Kumar (IND) l Artur Beterbiev (RUS) R2 2:00 Retd

20 yrs old Dinesh Kumar retired from his match against Russian Artur Beterbiev after trailing 1-10 in the second round.