CWG: Boxers Nikhat Zareen, Nitu Ganghas, Mohammed Hussamudin Assure India Of Medals, Lovlina Borgohain Makes Quarterfinal Exit

Three Indian pugilists, including Nikhat Zareen, advanced to the semifinals in their respective events after thrilling victories while Lovlina Borgohain made a last eight exit in the Commonwealth Games on Wednesday. With their wins, Zareen (50kg), Nitu Ganghas (48kg) and Mohammed Hussamudin (57kg) assured India of three boxing medals. Olympic bronze medallist Borgohain, on the other hand, was out-punched by last edition's silver medallist Rosie Eccles of Wales.

It was also curtains for Ashish Kumar (80kg), who went down to England's Aaron Bowen by a 4-1 split verdict.

Leading by a slight margin in the opening two rounds, the 24-year-old Borgohain went down via 2-3 split decision in the light middle weight quarterfinal.

Borgohain had a point deducted for holding in the second round, which seemed to have psychologically hurt the two-time World Championship medallist.

"Lovlina is disappointed with her third round hand movements. The biggest setback was the warning and it turned it around in favour of Rosie," national coach Bhaskar Bhatt told PTI.

"It was an unexpected decision and we are unhappy about this. We could have won the bout easily but that one warning cost us dear," he added.

Zareen, the reigning world champion, produced a dominating 5-0 unanimous decision win over Helen Jones of Wales in the light flyweight quarterfinals.

Hussamuddin defeated Tryagain Morning Ndevelo of Namibia in a 4-1 split verdict to advance to the semifinals of the men's 57kg and fetch his second consecutive CWG medal.

The 28-year-old from Nizamabad had won a bronze in Gold Coast four years ago. Hussamuddin had to work hard for the win as it was a fiercely contested bout which could have gone either way.

Earlier in the day, Nitu kick-started