Monica outpunches Neethu in an exciting bout

Thrissur: In a major upset in the Women’s 60 kg category young talented Monica Saun of Punjab outpunched experienced Haryana’s Neethu Chal 1-0 in the preliminery round bout in the 11th National Women Boxing Championship at Lulu International Convention Centre, here on Tuesday. Neethu, who had participated in the recent World Championship at Barbaras in October, was unfortunate to meet the 18-year old talented Monica, the current youth national champion, before going down 0-1. Monica is a real talent for our nation who can even gain an entry for the country in 2012 London Olimpics in 60 kg category, many veteran pugilists opined. In 57 kg class the crowd witnessed an exciting contest between Rinky Singh (AP) and former national Champion Kamla Bisht of All India Police AIP). Both the boxers had an identical score of 3-3 after the completion of the bout. However, the Judges decision came through in favour of Kamala Bisht.The local crowd also had a chance to cheer when a Kerala pugilist in the 60 kg class, Jiji Varghese defeated her opponent S Kaliarasi of Tamilnadu in the very first round itself. Jiji Varghese went all out in the first round itself with straight left and right combination landing clearly on the target, with power packed punches. Last night National junior champion Sarjubala Devi of Manipur went down fighting to Monita, a silver medalist behind Mary Kom in the 46 kg section in the 2008 National championship, 0-1. PTI