Indian boxer Nishant Dev has made a significant stride in the World Olympic Boxing Qualifiers by entering the pre-quarterfinals. Competing in the men’s 71kg category, Dev delivered a dominant performance against Georgia’s Madiev Eskerkhan. The match, held in Busto Arsizio, Italy, ended with a unanimous 5-0 margin in favour of Dev.

Nishant Dev with a dominating win

Dev, a World Championships bronze medallist, entered the match confidently, especially after a convincing win in his last bout. His opponent, Tokyo Olympics quarterfinalist Eskerkhan, struggled against Dev’s relentless attack. Despite Eskerkhan’s attempts to recover in the second round, Dev denied him any chance of a comeback. The match eventually ended as a one-sided affair.

This victory follows Dev’s triumph over Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Lewis Richardson of Great Britain in the round of 64. Dev won that bout by a 3-1 split decision. His consistent performances have kept the hopes of Indian boxing fans high.

The World Olympic Boxing Qualifiers is a prestigious event hosting over 590 boxers. It offers a total of 49 quotas, including 28 for men and 21 for women, for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Dev’s advancement to the pre-quarterfinals brings him one step closer to securing a quota for India.

However, the journey is far from over. Dev will face new challenges in the upcoming rounds. His next bout, the last-16 match, is scheduled for Sunday. The anticipation is high, and fans are eagerly waiting to see if Dev can continue his winning streak.

Meanwhile, other Indian boxers are also making their mark in the tournament. Mohammed Hussamuddin, a bronze medallist at the World Championships and Commonwealth Games, remains in the competition. He was handed a bye in the first round of men’s 57kg and will be in action in the round of 32.

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