Indian boxer and current world no.1 Amit Panghal will start his Tokyo 2020 Olympics campaign on July 31, Saturday, against Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist Yuberjen Herney Rivas Martinez of Colombia in the round of 16 flyweight (48-52kg) category at the Kokugikan Arena.
Amit Panghal had sealed his berth for the Tokyo Olympics by beating Philippines’ Carlo Paalam in a 4-1 split at the Asian Olympic qualification tournament. Panghal’s run in that tournament was ended by China’s Hu Jianguan, whom the Indian could face in the quarter-final round in Tokyo 2020.
Unlike Panghal, an unseeded Martinez had to fight in the round of 32 where he defeated Botswana's Mohammed Rajab Otukile by a unanimous decision. A gold medallist in the 2018 South American Games and 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games, Martinez will pose a stiff challenge for the Indian boxer.
Amit Panghal comes to the Summer Games on the back of consecutive gold medals at the Alexis Vastine Memorial boxing tournament in Nantes, France, and the Boxing World Cup in Cologne, Germany, and a bronze medal in Russia’s Governor’s Cup.
While India’s Olympic contingent has seen numerous upsets in Tokyo 2020 so far, Panghal is expected to sail through the first few rounds with his main opponent in the flyweight category being Uzbekistan's Shakhobidin Zoirov. The Uzbek has beaten Panghal in their last two meetings and could face the Indian only after the quarter-final stages.
Where to watch Amit Panghal’s Round of 16 Boxing match at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics live in India?
Amit Panghal will be in action at 7:30 AM on July 31 in the men’s flyweight (48-52kg) boxing event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The match will be telecast on Sony Sports Network channels in India.
Live streaming of boxing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will be available on the Sony Liv app and website.
Live broadcast subject to Sony Sports Network.
Featured Image: Media/ SAI
