Gujarat Giants rally to claim top honours in Big Bout Indian Boxing League

Gujarat Giants, led by skipper Amit Panghal, pulled off a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over Punjab Panrs in a high-volt final to win inaugural Big Bout Indian Boxing League here on Saturday. Darshana Doot (women's 51kg) and Youth Olympic Games gold medallist Abdulmalik Khalakov (57kg) scored well-crafted victories to put Panrs 2-0 ahe, but Ashish Kulheria (69kg) and Panghal (52kg) hauled Giants back on track in pulsating final. spirited and efficient Sonia Lar's split verdict win against legendary Sarita Devi in classic women's 60kg bout took Panrs one victory away from crown.

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Gujarat Giants rally to claim top hours

But Giants' heavyweight import from Scotland, Scott Forrest dished out a gutsy show to take contest into final bout of boxing extravaganza. Ashish Kumar n beat Yashpal in climactic 75kg battle as Gujarat Giants took home winners' trophy. Ashish me use of his superior bodyweight and ring-craft to give Yashpal a few lessons. To credit of Indian Universities 69kg champion, he took punishment pretty well and stretched Ashish into third round.

Earlier, a string of three losses did t deter left-handed Darshana Doot when she stepped into ring on Saturday night. She h been roped in when Punjab Panrs skipper MC Mary Kom faced a back problem.  From first moment, she showcased her erness to sign off with a win against Rajesh Narwal. She executed her plans well and exerted her domination to secure a 4-1 verdict.

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twinkle-toed and supremely confident Khalakov, who h lost to Chirag in league st, came with a specific plan.  He lost time in landing punches, taking Chirag by surprise to make a strong impression on judges in opening round.  Indian clawed back with counter-attacking tactics in second round, forcing Khalakov to back-pedal in defence.

However, young Uzbek star was rey with his own tactics in final round, cramping Chirag's hooks and using a combination of jabs and uppercuts to complete a unanimous verdict.  manner in which he controlled pace of bout was mirable and he deserved to celebrate with a couple of back-flips when result was anunced. Asian Championship medallist Ashish Kulheria's win against evergreen Maj Kumar did t come as a surprise since Panrs' star was fighting his second strenuous bout inside 24 hours. 

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Kulheria moved deftly through bout in which Maj could t find rhythm or that he was looking for to make an impression on judges. Panghal walked in as favourite to beat PL Pras a second time in Big Bout and he crafted a unanimous victory.  Pras's challenge was greater since he h to work harder in ring to make an impression on judges against a boxer who used his technique with great efficiency and productively.

Sonia Lar beat Sarita Devi in an intense battle that was as much with mind as with gloved fists.  In what was best contest of night, Sonia Lar did well to gain upper hand in first round. She stayed in front, though vastly experienced Sarita Devi was t giving up till last moment. With his team facing a do-or-die situation, Scott me light of a bleeding cut on his temple early in his fight to eke out a very important win. He was light on his feet and landed heavy punches through slightest of gaps in Indian heavyweight's guard and emerged a comfortable winner in end.

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