Commonwealth Games 2022 boxing: Amit Panghal punches maiden CWG gold, Sagar Ahlawat bags silver
Amit Panghal beat England’s Kiaran McDonald by unanimous decision in the final to win his first CWG gold.
India’s Amit Panghal won the gold medal in the men’s 51kg flyweight while Sagar Ahlawat won silver in the men’s 92+ kg super heavyweight at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham, UK.
Amit Panghal beat home favourite Kiaran McDonald by unanimous decision at the National Exhibition Centre.
This was the Indian boxer’s second Commonwealth Games medal, having won the silver medal at Gold Coast 2018.
“I was devastated when I lost four years ago so this makes me very happy,” Amit Panghal said. “I got my tactics just right in the final.”
In the first round, Amit bided his time, waiting for an opening but was proactive in landing his punches and jabs when the opportunity arose, often going for combinations.
The Indian continued to attack in the second and McDonald got a cut on his face from one of Amit Panghal’s attacks and had to be stitched up by his team.
With the bout comfortably in Amit Panghal’s favour, the third round was more subdued and the Indian won his first Commonwealth Games gold medal by unanimous decision.
"He was taller than me and I had to be more aggressive and get inside his arms. That worked,” Panghal pointed out.
“I did enough to win the first two rounds and I held it in the last,” the Indian boxer added. “I thought he probably won the last round but I was too far ahead by then. He was a great opponent.”
Later in the day, Sagar Ahlawat lost to English boxer Delicious Orie in the men’s 92+ kg super heavyweight final by unanimous decision.
In his first international event, Sagar began in aggressive fashion, winning the first round against the European bronze-medallist but started tiring in the second, with the judges awarding it to Orie.
It meant that the bout came down to a decisive third round and Delicious Orie did enough to beat a visibly tired Sagar Ahlawat for the gold.
“It was a good fight," Sagar said. "I have a feeling we [Delicious Orie] will meet again, maybe in two years in Paris [2024 Olympic Games].
“It was a fair fight," Sagar added. "I am happy to have a silver medal but I wanted it to be gold. I will look at how to improve and come back stronger for next time.”
India ended their boxing campaign at the Commonwealth Games with seven medals -- three golds, one silver and three bronze. The tally was two less from the nine won at the previous edition at Gold Coast 2018.