Boxing: Jai,Nanao advance to revive India’s campaign

Both Jai and Nanao were silver medallists at the Asian Championships in June.

It was sweet revenge for Jai,who lost to Donovan by a point at European Grand Prix event in Czech Republic in May. Fighting from long range initially,Jai was trailing 1-4 at the end of the first round but he made a late recovery to come through eventually.

“I was counterpunching to start with but once I knew that I was trailing,I went for an all-out attack,” said Jai.

Jai’s recovery started in the second round when he narrowed the gap in scoreline to 3-5 before out-punching his rival in the third round.

“I kept my guard and managed to connect some hard ones in the final round. I am very happy because I had lost to him in a very close bout in May,” said the 23-year-old,who will take on Germany’s Eugen Burhard in the pre-quarters on Sunday.

Earlier last night,18-year-old Nanao,competing in only his second senior international event,decimated Mamishzade.