Inaugural India Open International Boxing Tournament Keddy Agnes loses in semifinal |01 February 2018
After knocking out Uzbek Mullojonov Lazizbek in the second round of their quarterfinal fight on Tuesday, Seychellois Keddy Agnes stepped in the ring again yesterday in the blue corner for his super heavyweight (+91kg) semifinal showdown with Indian Satish Kumar.
But, the semifinal is as far Agnes could reach in the inaugural India Open International Boxing Tournament being held in Delhi as he lost on points to Kumar who was fighting in front of his fans.
Probably many had wanted Agnes to score another knockout to seal a place in the final and challenge for the US $2,500 pay check, but he came up short against Kumar who boasts a lot of experience for having been in action for many years.
Bronze medallist at both the Asian Games in 2014 and the Asian Championship in 2015, Indian fighter Kumar made his experience count in yesterday’s semifinal. Aged 28, Kumar stands at 6 ft 2 and he made the most of his height against the shorter Agnes.
The two boxers traded punches for the first gong as they both wanted their opponent to hit the mat early. Agnes came out with great determination, landing a powerful right hook, similarly to the one that knocked out Lazizbek two days ago. However, Kumar would not go down.
The fight went on as both boxers increased the momentum of their punches, but neither accepted to go down. Power shots along with combinations were thrown with occasional misses here and there. Many people were waiting for the knockout blow delivered by Agnes, but it never came. Agnes was until last night the only boxer in the competition to register a knockout.
After three rounds three minutes of power house punches, counters and combinations thrown at each end, the referee raised Kumar’s hand after reviewing the judges’ decision. This final result means that Kumar will be in the final this afternoon.
Despite the semifinal loss, Agnes will not return home empty-handed as he will receive the bronze medal during the medals’ presentation ceremony.
Twice gold medallist at the Indian Ocean Island Games in 2011 in Seychelles and in 2015 in Reunion, Agnes still has a long way to go as at 24 years old, the hard puncher can still claim some more victims with his knockout punch.
Uzbek Lazizbek Mullojonov will probably remember for a long time the day Agnes punched his lights out in the quarterfinal. With an explosive right hook, Agnes caught the Uzbek’s jaw and lifted him into the air, in the second round. The strong built Uzbek had enjoyed the upper hand till then before the knockout punch.
The Seychellois fighter won his first fight on a 5-0 score (30-27, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27, 29-28) against Zukhurov Siyovush of Tajikistan.
Rodney Rose