Lakra bows out in World Championship quarters

CHICAGO: AL Lakra failed to sustain the form that earned him a berth for next year's Beijing Olympics and crashed out in the quarterfinals to wind up India's campaign at the World Boxing Championship.

Lakra lost 6-17 to Asian bronze medallist Yang Li in the feather weight category at the University of Chicago's UIC Pavillion on Thursday.

The Army boxer struggled from the start and was unable to garner a single point in the first two rounds as Li established a six-point lead.

The Indian finally opened his account in the penultimate round, scoring four but his opponent had widened the gap to a massive nine points by then, making it impossible for Lakra to catch up in the final round.

Li will now take on Ukrainian Vasyl Lomachenko in the semifinals on Friday.

India are currently tied for the 18th spot at the biggest, toughest and, according to AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu, the 'best ever' world championship, with nine points.