Amit Panghal is the first Indian male boxer to win a silver medal at the World Championships (File Photo/AP)World Boxing Championships 2019 Final, Amit Panghal vs Shakhobidin Zoirov Boxing Highlights: Indian boxer Amit Panghal, who created history on Friday by becoming the first male Indian boxer to qualify for a World Boxing Championship final, lost the final to Uzbekistan’s Shakhobidin Zoirov, the reigning Olympic champion, by a unanimous decision from the judges. He won the silver medal, becoming the first Indian male boxer to do so.
Vijender Singh (2009), Vikas Krishan (2011), Shiva Thapa (2015) and Gaurav Bidhuri (2017) are the only other Indian boxers who have medalled at this event previously – all bronze. With Manish Kaushik also winning a bronze medal this year, and Panghal winning a silver, this edition of the Boxing Worlds is India’s best-ever performance at this event.
First silver for India
In any case, this is India's first silver for men at the World Championships. Phangal has missed the gold but he has clinched India's best ever finish at the Boxing Worlds.
Rocky theme plays
Te music from Rocky plays out as Phangal walks back. He has lost the match but he sure has given a good display of himself. The result might have been unanimous, but the fight did seem quite equal, especially as the bout wore on.
Zoirov wins
Zoirov beats Phangal by an unanimous decision from the judges. Judges scored it 30-27 30-27 29-28 29-28 -29-28. To analyze where Phangal lost it, it has to be said the second round belonged to the Indian! The third round looked equally balanced. Perhaps the first round is where the Uzbek stamped his authority in the match. Given his bigger reputation, it was always going to be an uphill task for Phangal.
End of Round 3
Zoirov seems to be confident he has done enough. He punches the air as the bell rings to signal the end of Round 3.
Zoirov swings and misses again
Is the balance swinging in Amit's favour in this match? It's all up to the judges, but Amit is definitely getting a lot more punches connecting. And he is also being successful in avoiding most of Zoirov's blows.
Round 3
Phangal makes an aggressive start to the third round. He is going for it here! Phangal had made a conservative start - remember he has never met Zoirov before today - but he has found his groove now!
End of round
Phangal's coach tells him to maintain his distance from Zoirov. He says Phangal should stand his ground and exchange blows. Not go crazy. "He has no chance because you are strong and quick," Phangal is told.
Round 2 ending
'Ek minute bacha hai!' a scream is heard from Amit's corner. They're egging Amit to hold on till the end of Round 2. He has had a better time in this round. Amit gets Zoirov on the ropes with a flurry of blows at the end.
Zoirov swings and misses
Zoirov almost disbalances in an attempt to swing an upper cut at Panghal in the first few seconds of the second round. Zoirov still looking to be the aggressor. Phangal should try to do something different to change the tide of this bout. Zoirov's reach is troubling Amit. Even among flyweights, he is rather small.
End of round 1
The first round has come to an end. Zoirov might have had the better of that first round, but Amit did manage to get a few punches in towards the end. He is now receiving some instructions in his corner. Round 2 to begin now.
Amit hits back
Amit hits back with a few fast flurries! There are chants going up around the court in support for the Uzbek boxer.
Zoirov on the front foot
Zoirov looks to make an aggressive start. Amit looks to block these early blows. "Khul ke!" is heard from the side of the court. Perhaps an instruction to Amit to open himself up a little more. Amit is looking to create a shell around himself with the Uzbek getting some jabs in from time to time. Amit has never faced Zoirov before.
Boxers in the ring
Both Amit and Zoirov have taken the ring. The court referee, from Russia, has a word with both of them. And Round 1 begins!
Zoirov enters
Zoirov enters the ring to massive cheers.
The five referees from today are from Hungary, Turkey, Argentina, Romania and Ireland.
All set for action
Amit Phangal is set to step into the ring. The 52 kg final is the first final scheduled for the day, and it is Phangal being seen wrapping some protective gear around his hands. Phangal set to take on Zoirov, the reigning Olympic champion, for a special place in Indian sports history.
Chota Tyson
Let the support ring in for #ChotaTyson as he attempts to mark September 21 as a historic day for Indian sports. He could do for Indian male boxing what Mary Kom has been doing for Indian female boxers today!
Panghal aims to take India to historic high
Amit Panghal caught India's attention when he won the 49kg national title on debut in Guwahati in 2016. Three years on, he is aiming to take India where no male boxer has taken. Mary Kom is a multiple times World champion, but in the men's circuit, that title has remained elusive so far. Could Phangal change all of that today? The finals to start in roughly another 30 minutes.