Bhagwan advances at World Championship

Lightweight pugilist Jai Bhagwan became the third Indian to come within one victory of Olympic qualification by advancing to the pre-quarterfinals of the World Boxing Championship in Chicago.

Bhagwan defeated Georgian Vasil Qazishvili 23-16 in an ill-tempered second-round bout at the University of Chicago's UIC Pavilion to join Jitender Kumar (51kg) and A L Lakra (57kg) in the last 16.

However, the day ended on a disappointing note for the Indians as Dilbag Singh bowed out with a 9-22 loss to Serb Zoran Mitrovic in the second round of welterweight category.

Bhagwan will take on Colombian Darley Perez in the last 16 match on Wednesday after a day's break.

The Asian Games bronze medallist's bout was exciting from the start as Bhagwan opened with a 4-3 lead before proceedings became aggressive from second round.

Both Bhagwan and Qazishvili were warned by the referee even as the Indian extended his lead to 17-13 by the end of the third round.

Bhagwan dominated the final round to come through 23-16 as his opponent got yet another warning.

In contrast, Dilbag, the best boxer at this year's National Championship, could hardly match up to his Serbian opponent, who came up with a consistent performance to enter the next round, where he will take on German Jack Keth-Culcay.