Commonwealth Games: Shiva Thapa enters boxing pre-quarters

Birmingham: Indian boxer and former World Championship bronze medallist Shiva Thapa entered the pre-quarterfinals of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. He made a brilliant start in the tournament beating Pakistan's Suleman Baloch 5-0 in the men's light welterweight (60kg-63.5 kg).

Thappa played from the Red corner and gave no chance to his opponent any chance and won a unanimous decision for the win on points.

Shiva, the former Asian Championships gold medallist, appeared to be strong for opponent Baloch. He landed a flurry of punches from the starting itself of the three rounds and ended up scoring 30-26, 30-25, 30-28, 30-36, 30-26 and 30-23 for the bout by the five judges, IANS reported.

Indian boxing squad is 12 membered, including eight male and four female boxers.

The next assignment for Shiva is against Reese Lunch of Scotland in the Round of 16 bouts on Sunday, July 31.