August 30, 2003	Saturday	Rajab 1, 1424

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KARACHI, Aug 29: Three top Pakistan boxers — Noman Kareem, Meherullah and Asghar Ali Shah — stormed into finals of their respective weight categories after convincing victories at Commonwealth boxing championship in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.

According to information from Malaysia, light-flyweight Noman, who became the first Pakistani boxer to grab a medal at the world championship last month winning the bronze, outboxed Englishman James Fowl 27-18 in the semifinal.

Meher, who came into limelight after becoming only athlete of the Pakistan contingent to claim the gold at last year’s Busan Asian Games, had smooth sailing as he thrashed Muhammad Rosdi of Malaysia 32-18 in the featherweight semifinal.

Light-welterweight Asghar, a Commonwealth Games and Asian Games silver medallist, advanced into the final with ease after an overwhelming 34-16 triumph over Kidd Todd of Australia.

The three pugilists will fight on Sept 1 in the finals.

Super-heavyweight Muzaffar Iqbal has also reached the semifinal and will fight on Saturday.

Flyweight Abid Jan has already been eliminated in the preliminary round, while bantamweight Azeem Nazar, lightweight Hayatullah, middleweight Ahmad Ali Khan lost in the quarterfinals.

Pakistan have fielded eight boxers in the tournament which started from Aug 25 in the Malaysian capital.