Boxer Amit Panghal promises more aggression in Tokyo Olympics

Amit Panghal goes on the offensive during the 52kg final against Uzbekistan’s Shakobhidin Zoirov at the ASBC Asian Boxing Championships in Dubai recently

India boxer Amit Panghal believes his silver medal-winning experience at the recent Asian Championships in the UAE has left him wiser ahead of the Tokyo Olympics (July 23 to August 8).

Panghal, a World Championships silver medallist, lost to reigning Olympic and world champion, Shakhobidin Zoirov of Uzbekistan 3-2 via split decision in the 52kg final. Unhappy with the result, the Indian team registered a protest with the organisers but their appeal was not considered.

Panghal is now keen to pick up the positives from this experience rather than look back and cry over it. "Honestly, I think I had played a good match and given a tough fight but I have to accept the result and continue to work hard," Panghal told mid-day recently.

Amit Panghal with his silver medal at the ASBC Asian Boxing Championships in Dubai recently

The 2018 Jakarta Asian Games gold medal-winner is keen to watch match footage and learn from mistakes that may have led to points being awarded to his opponent. "We are just a month away [from the Tokyo Olympics] and I am going to re-watch the matches and talk to my coaches to ensure I have a better and more decisive score next time. My focus is the Olympics and I will do whatever is needed to give my best shot," added Panghal, 25, a strong medal contender for India at the Games.

Speaking on what may have gone wrong in that final, Pangal said: "I think out of the three times [the two boxers have met before] this was the closest bout I had with Shakhobidin. I used to have more of a wait-and-watch game initially but since the World Championship final loss to him, I have worked on my game and become more aggressive. Here, my plan was to play the first round smartly and then get on the offensive in the second and third rounds when the opponent is tiring out. The second round in the final was very decisive to my mind and one of the reasons why the team management protested for they felt that the second round could have been a 5-0 score in my favour. Anyway, I'll be waiting for him next time."

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