LONDON: The boxing hall in the EXL arena surprises you. It is huge (probably with a capacity of 5,000) and packed, and humming with passion and excitement. You get a raw feel as soon as you make your way into the media enclosure - an Irish boxer is on the show and the crowd is swinging.
Two bouts later, the bell rings for your man in the red corner - Shiva Thapa. The baby of the Indian boxing team at 18 years of age, Thapa is the rising star. He walks in, looking a bit apprehensive, squinting in the glare of lights.
Shiva shows he has heart in the nine minutes he is in the ring but his lack of experience is for all to see as one of India's medal contender goes down 14-9 in the bantamweight (56kg) fight. It was a fight which was in balance for two rounds but after that, a flurry of punches - a combination of four left and right by Shiva's Mexican opponent - finished the contest.
World Cup bronze medallist Valdez Oscar Fierro, like his name, was on fire. He walked in with purpose, looking almost possessed with some inner rage. He walked away with peace written large on his face. Fierro had qualified for the Beijing Games as a 17-year-old. On Saturday, he was the experienced one and the better boxer on show.
Indian coach GS Sandhu had said the night before that it was a tough draw. "We have been watching his videos and looking for a way out."
Fierro was too good for that. He dominated the first round by charging in more and backing away with some superb defending. Shiva struggled to find a way through the guard. The Mexican has a dangerous left which made Shiva slip and fall thrice in the contest.
The first round went 4-2 in the Mexican's favour. Sandhu could be seen talking fervently to Thapa, patting him, coaxing him. Shiva got back into the contest with a more assured show. He attacked more and swung well out of harm's way. 4-3 in Round Two meant the Indian was in the fight at 6-7.
The third round, however, turned out to be a mismatch. The Mexican waited for a minute or so before moving in for the kill. He twice rocked Shiva with his lightening quick hands pushing him to the ropes and pummelling him.
Shiva, who had been holding on so far, suddenly lost his way. He looked dazed when the contest ended as the hall reverberated to Kurt Cobain's grunge classic, 'It smells like team spirit'.
Two bouts later, the bell rings for your man in the red corner - Shiva Thapa. The baby of the Indian boxing team at 18 years of age, Thapa is the rising star. He walks in, looking a bit apprehensive, squinting in the glare of lights.
Shiva shows he has heart in the nine minutes he is in the ring but his lack of experience is for all to see as one of India's medal contender goes down 14-9 in the bantamweight (56kg) fight. It was a fight which was in balance for two rounds but after that, a flurry of punches - a combination of four left and right by Shiva's Mexican opponent - finished the contest.
World Cup bronze medallist Valdez Oscar Fierro, like his name, was on fire. He walked in with purpose, looking almost possessed with some inner rage. He walked away with peace written large on his face. Fierro had qualified for the Beijing Games as a 17-year-old. On Saturday, he was the experienced one and the better boxer on show.
Indian coach GS Sandhu had said the night before that it was a tough draw. "We have been watching his videos and looking for a way out."
Fierro was too good for that. He dominated the first round by charging in more and backing away with some superb defending. Shiva struggled to find a way through the guard. The Mexican has a dangerous left which made Shiva slip and fall thrice in the contest.
The first round went 4-2 in the Mexican's favour. Sandhu could be seen talking fervently to Thapa, patting him, coaxing him. Shiva got back into the contest with a more assured show. He attacked more and swung well out of harm's way. 4-3 in Round Two meant the Indian was in the fight at 6-7.
The third round, however, turned out to be a mismatch. The Mexican waited for a minute or so before moving in for the kill. He twice rocked Shiva with his lightening quick hands pushing him to the ropes and pummelling him.
Shiva, who had been holding on so far, suddenly lost his way. He looked dazed when the contest ended as the hall reverberated to Kurt Cobain's grunge classic, 'It smells like team spirit'.
Source: TOI
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