Fifth successive World title for Mary Kom

PANAJI: India's MC Mary Kom won her fifth World women's boxing title in Bridgetown ( Barbados) on Saturday. The Manipuri braveheart, who had won her four earlier titles in the 46kg category, this time won in the 48kg class beating her Romanian opponent Duta Seluta 16-6.

Mary had beaten the Romanian 22-7 in the 2006 World Championship final in New Delhi and 7-1 in the 2008 World Championship final in Ningbo City, China.

Earlier on Friday, Mary, who epitomises consistency, showed why she is one of the most outstanding boxers in women's boxing when she bounced back from a 0-1 first-round deficit to outclassing her Flilpino opponent Alice Appari 8-1 in the semifinals.

However, there was disappointment as well for India when Kavita (+81kg) settled for a bronze after being outclassed 2-14 by Ukraine's Kateryna Kuzhel in the semifinals.

Swift counter-punching and silken smooth footwork were Mary Kom's strengths as she played the waiting game to perfection. The Indian legend defended stoutly in the first two rounds to keep the scores level at 1-1. After that, she let loose a flurry of punches to stun Appari.

"I was not scared. All I did was closely watch her technique, as I did in the earlier rounds. Having got her measure, I started opening up, attacking with swift combo burts while ensuring I stayed out of harm's way. Also, I tightened my guard to keep her from scoring."

Leading with her powerful double rights, combined with a swift counter left hook, Mary Kom gradually dismantled her opponent's guard and was 5-1 up by the end of the third round.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/boxing/Mary-Kom-wi...