Punjab Panthers cruise past NE Rhinos to set up title clash with Gujarat Giants

Punjab Panrs on Friday registered an overwhelming 5-2 victory over NE Rhis to set up a Big Bout Indian Boxing League summit clash against Gujarat Giants. Panrs won four bouts in a row to overturn 2-1 vant that NE Rhis h got through Meenakshi and Francisco Veron after Sonia Lar drew first blood. Naveen Kumar used his extra height, reach and body weight to bring Panrs back on track. India Open silver medallist h ceded some ground to Ergashev Timur in opening round of 91kg bout but grually took control of bout. 

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With younger fighter from Uzbekistan getting tired and unable to sustain onslaught, Naveen Kumar secured a unanimous verdict. Abdulmalik Khalakov showed quick glovework in 57kg clash with Mohammed Etash Khan and PL Pras did likewise against Laldin Mawia in 52kg battle to ensure that Panrs would book berth in final against Gujarat Giants. With personal pride to play for after outcome of match was kwn, seasoned Maj Kumar took time to warm up against bustle of Muhamm Rahil in 69kg bout. 

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He conceded first round to boxer from Akola but attacked consistently to secure a unanimous win. younger fighter, making his Big Bout debut, needed to sustain his effort but did t get room. Earlier, Panrs' Sonia Lar raised her game after trailing Pwilao Basumatary in first round of women's 60kg bout. She was unruffled that a majority of judges h ruled in favour of her NE Rhis rival and changed her tactics to swiftly swing balance her way with a calm and sensible approach that called her to step up aggression but cautiously. Indeed, Punjab Panrs were able to overcome absence of ir captain MC Mary Kom better than NE Rhis papered over cracks left by Nikhat Zareen (women's 51kg) and an unwell Mandeep Jangra (69kg). 

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Though Meenakshi stood in well for Nikhat Zareen, NE Rhis knew that Panrs would be a different challenge in semifinals than in climactic league match on Tuesday. Rhis were delighted that Meenakshi me light of a massive task of standing in for skipper Nikhat Zareen. She handled pressure with disdain as she beat Darshana Doot in women's 51kg bout. She backed her erness with good ringcraft, landing a combination of punches to run out a comfortable winner and level match scores  at 1-1. y were strengned by return of Argentina's Francisco Veron who claimed a win against debutant Mohit Khatana in 75kg bout. In posting a unanimous verdict, Francisco Veron offered Asian Junior Championships silver medallist insights into competing with more accomplished boxers.  final will be held on Saturday. 

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