Akhil, Jitender start pro-careers with technical knock-outs

Mumbai, Aug 5:
Beijing Olympic quarter-finalist Akhil Kumar made a perfect start to his professional career with a technical knock-out of Australia’s Ty Gilchrist in the junior welterweight category at the ‘Battleground Asia’ here today.
It was a night to remember for the ‘Class of 2008’ as another Beijing quarter-finalist Jitender Kumar also marked his debut with a technical knock-out of Thanet Likhitkamporn in the lightweight category.
Akhil, the 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, endured a nasty cut just below his left eye in the early seconds because of his famous ‘guard down’ stance, but his entire range of hooks and upper cuts along with the customary swagger was enough to pummel Gilchrist into submission.
The third round never started as the Australian threw in the towel.
Among the undercards in the fray, Akhil easily received the loudest cheers as he entered the arena.
It wasn’t the greatest of starts as Gilchrist took the first chance to land a straighter one as blood started oozing out.
An undeterred Akhil, however, got back as he successfully used the upper cut to break open Gilchrist’s defence before landing a combination of left and right hooks.
Gilchrist tried the defensive tactic of trying to hold onto Akhil and in the process inflict more damage on the already formed deep gash beneath his eye.
It was Jitender who was seen helping Akhil in his corner.
The second round saw Akhil straightaway get into the attack mode with a flurry of left-right combinations.
One such combination hit Gilchrist bang on his midriff and another one on his wrist as the Indian enjoyed an upper hand.(PTI)

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here