Jai Bhagwan bows out in pre-quarters of light weight boxing

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Indian pugilist Jai Bhagwan crashed out of the London Olympics, bowing out in the pre-quarterfinals of the men's light weight category (60kg), here on Thursday.

After starting on an impressive note, Bhagwan lost steam in the second and third rounds to go down 8-16 to Gani Zhailauov of Kazakhstan at the ExCel arena.

Contrary to the final result, it was the 12th ranked Indian who started the bout on an aggressive note and pipped his opponent in the opening round with powerful straight punches.

Leading 2-3 after the end of the first round, Bhagwan simply lost his touch and rhythm in the next round as eighth-ranked Zhailauov made a ferocious comeback into the bout.

A change of tactic seemed to have worked wonders for the Kazakh boxer as Bhagwan looked lazy in the second round.

Zhailauov, seeded fifth in the Games, simply ran away with the second round pocketing it 10-3, which includes three penalty points awarded against the Indian for continously ducking his head.

Going into the final round trailing by a whopping six points, Bhagwan needed an extra-ordinary display to close the gap but it was not to be as his Kazakh opponent once again came out on top, thereby dashing the hopes of Indian boxing fans.

Zhailauov will now face fourth seeded Yasnier Toledo Lopez of Cuba in the quarterfinals.