Women's World Boxing Championship: Nikhat Zareen overcomes Boualam Roumaysa to enter last-16 stage

India’s star boxer Nikhat Zareen overcame Algeria's Boualam Roumaysa to enter the last-16 stage of the ongoing Women's World Boxing Championships. Zareen beat the reigning African champion in the 50 kg category by a unanimous decision.

Zareen picked up her second win in the tournament, beating Roumaysa 5-0 in a unanimous decision at the KD Jadhav Stadium.

Speaking after her win, Zareen said she wanted to dominate proceedings against Roumaysa as she was seeded ahead of her.

"My strategy for today was to dominate the round as her (Roumaysa) was the top seed. There is an advantage of seeding. I did get a seeding. If I beat the top seeds, it sets an impression on the judges," Nikhat said after the bout.

She went on to say that her Algerian opponent gets very aggressive in close range, so her strategy was to box from



afar.

"I have seen her bouts before. She gets very aggressive if you are in close range. So, I had aimed to play from far but there was clinching and a bit of dirty game," Zareen added.

Both boxers held themselves back initially and maintained a safe distance. Nikhat, who won gold in the last edition, drew first blood. The Algerian followed suit as the two pugilists tried to get the better of one another.

If Nikhat landed a few combination punches, Roumaysa capitalised on the Indian boxer's open stance to land several blows. However, the first round went in Nikhat's favour and the Indian began the next round by going all out. Roumaysa too looked set to come forward and attack.

Later in the day, 2022 World Championships bronze medalist Manisha Maun will open her campaign in the 57 kg category with a last-32 bout against Australia’s Rahimi Tina.