Parwinder wins opening Indo-Pak boxing encounter

Lahore, May 20: Railways pugilist Parwinder Singh gave India a winning start, beating his Pakistani opponent Nadir Khan in the opening bout of the inaugral Tassadum Boxing Series between the two countries in Karachi.

The Delhiite saw off the initial challenge put up by the Pakistani teenager to win the match 21-14 in four rounds.

The Indian proved to be too good for the inexperienced Nadir, who ran out of steam after holding Parwinder 5-5 in the second round.

Parwinder took control of the match after that and landed accurate punches to win the bout and give India a 1-0 lead in the three-day series.

''It doesn't get better than this. I was fighting in the first bout of the first ever boxing series between Pakistan and India and went on to win it,'' Parwinder told 'The News' after the match.

''I fought well today, because it is a big occasion for my team and I am confident that the win will help my team's cause in the series,'' he added.

In the next bout, Olympian Diwakar Prasad will take on Asghar Ali Shah and the series will end tomorrow with the clash between Jai Bhagwan and Commowealth Games Silver medallist Meherullah Lassi.

UNI