Nishant Dev went down to Mexico’s Marco Verde in the 71kg quarter-final, falling short of what could have been the first boxing medal by an Indian man after Vijender Singh who won bronze medal in 2008 Beijing Games. Nishant Dev appeared great skills and heart to put up a unforgettable fight on last night.
A bronze medallist of 2023 World Championships Nishant Dev had beaten Jose Gabriel Rodriguez Tenorio of Ecuador in his round of 16 bout to advance to the quarters while verde was coming off a win over Mozambique’s Tiago Muxango. Mexican made a land two solid rights towards the closing second rounds, kick in a standing count on the Indian. Still the Indian had done enough to take the round,thanks to his control the opponents and rights that hit Verde flush.
In the second round Nishant responding with a rasping right upper cut when Mexican cornering the Indian which made second round more of a fistfight. This shook his opposition. The careful of the gruelling round were visible on both of boxers as they began to breathe heavy and movements increasingly laboured. After Indian kept punching, his right hook working on the match night. The judges ruled in the Indian’s goodwill, it gives the advantages heading into the final round.
In the final round Verde was dominated as he was repeatedly pushed Nishant to the corner before allowing his mergers work. The result was a break 4-1 result for Marco Verde but Nishant Dev will take a lot of heart from the duel. This results only Lovlina Borgohain in the 75kg category stands in the medal contention among all Indian boxers.