JEJU, June 16: A Pakistani boy from England Khan Amir moved a step further in his quest for the title in light weight category by defeating Asirof Darkhan in the quarterfinals of the 13th World junior boxing championship at Halla Boxing Stadium, Jeju, South Korea on Wednesday.

Amir who is England's biggest hope in the championship for a gold medal trounced his rival Asirof Darkhan from Kazakhstan easily 36:20. According to the International Amateur Boxing President (AIBA) Prof. Anwar Chowdhry, Amir has the potential to win medals in the coming Olympic Games. He said that the boxing body in England was not willing to send the boy for this championship but on his intervention they allowed Amir to compete in the event.

Amir who secured a bronze after winning the quarterfinals is confident of winning gold in this championship. He said, "After defeating the Cuban boxer in pre-quarterfinals and the Kazik in the quarters, "I am quite hopeful for the title."

Amir who turned 17 this month has an experience of about nine years. His father Zahid Khan who is accompanying him on the tour said. "Amir started boxing at the age of eight. He is quite energetic and selected the sport of boxing on his own."

Zahid, who has no background of boxing and is living in Manchester said it will be good as a Pakistani is going to be champion here. Earlier, all the Pakistani boxers lost in the opening rounds. Only Qarar managed to win against the Indian Vikas Malik in the opening round but lost to the Dominican Republic pugilist in the pre-quarters.

Pakistan to participate in Goa: The Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) President Prof. Anwar Chowdhry said that they would send a national junior boxing team to Goa, India later this year to compete in the Prof. Anwar Chowdhry junior boxing championship.

Talking to PPI, at Halla Boxing Gymnasium at Jeju, South Korea he said, "Boxing between the two countries will help in promoting the sport at the juniors level."

He said now the future of boxing lies in cadet and junior boxing. and added that Pakistan at the moment is not at par with other countries. Prof. Chowdhry said, "In the last two years the Russian Republics have improved a lot and some other countries too have improved."

He said that the Pakistani pugilists are inexperienced and need more international exposure but he added that surprisingly the Pakistanis too were quite impressive at the World junior championship.

The PBF chief said due to blind draws they were unable to reach the final stages and bowed out in the beginning of the championship. Pakistan competed in the World junior championship with five pugilists Shahid Khan, Ali Mohammed, Qarar Hussain, Dur Mohammed and Mohammed Younis.

Except for Qarar all the boxers failed in the opening rounds while Qarar lost in the pre-quarters. Meanwhile, the joint secretary Amateur Indian Boxing Federation (AIBF) Lenny D'Gama said that they have sent invitations to 29 countries and 20 countries would definitely compete in the Prof. Anwar Chowdhry junior boxing championships to be held from Nov 18 to 21 in Goa. -PPI