India has good start at World Junior Boxing Championship

Shiva Thapa gave a resounding start to India at the World Junior Boxing Championship, storming into the light bantam weight (52kg) second round at the event in Armenia on Saturday.

The 16-year-old Services boxer defeated Armenia’s Andranik Hiloyan 11-2 in a lop-sided contest that had to be stopped after the second round.

Just 40 seconds into the bout, Thapa took a 3-0 lead and built on it to finish the first round 6-0.

The second round was equally lop-sided and though Andranik managed to get on the scoresheet, Thapa kept up the pressure to end the round 11-2.

The Indian’s total domination forced the referee to stop the contest before the third round.

Thapa is one of India’s best bets in the tournament as he won a gold medal at the prestigious Hyder Aliyev Cup last year.

India, which put up its best-ever show at the last edition of the World Championship in 2007 with two gold and silver medal, has sent an eight-member team this year.