Nikhat Zareen advances into 50kg quarterfinals in women’s boxing

At the Commonwealth Games on Sunday, world champion Nikhat Zareen defeated Helena Ismael Bagao of Mozambique to advance to the quarterfinals of the women’s 50kg lightweight division.

Zareen struggled to keep up with her teenage opponent, who controlled the fight from start to finish.

The Indian immediately unnerved Bagao with the depth of her expertise. She attacked right away, using her left and right punch combos to overwhelm her foe.

In the last round, Zareen stunned her opponent with clean strikes to the face, causing the referee to end the match with 48 seconds left.

In the quarterfinals, Zareen will next compete against New Zealand’s Troy Garton, the reigning bronze medalist from the Commonwealth Games.