October 8, 2003	Wednesday	Sha’aban 11, 1424

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KARACHI, Oct 7: Pakistan, armed with two outstanding pugilists in Meherullah and Asghar Ali Shah, will be battling to defend their crown for the second consecutive time when the third edition of the Green Hill Cup international boxing tournament starts on Wednesday.

The five-day boxing extravaganza which has attracted 14 countries will not only provide boxing fans some quality bouts, it will also be a run-up to next year’s Athens Olympics as the participants will test their skills ahead of the Olympic qualifiers starting early next year.

Like the previous two editions, Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) has opted to field two teams — Greens and Whites — to give the maximum number of boxers a taste of international exposure at KPT Sports Complex.

Bantamweight Meherullah and lightweight Asghar Ali Shah will be the centre of attraction and medal hopes for Pakistan apart from Asian Games middleweight silver medallist Ahmad Ali Khan, and super-heavyweight Muzaffar Iqbal.

Meher, who burst into limelight after winning the solitary gold for Pakistan last year in Busan Asian Games, is a flyweight bronze medallist of the second edition in 2000.

The diminutive boxer from Lyari, who has been awarded Rs5 million by the government following his feat in the South Korean city, was beaten by Rashim Rahimi of Iran 13-6 in the semifinals.

Meher, who has turned from an inexperienced teenager into a medal-winning boxer, is now expected to set the ring alight after gaining considerable ring experience during the last two years.

Asghar, a 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games silver medallist, must be trying to erase the bitter memory of previous upset 7-8 defeat two years ago against Japan’s lightweight Naoto Hirama in the quarterfinals.

Surprisingly, Meher and Asghar will not fight in their original weight categories which has drawn sharp criticism from a former PBF official. Meher is originally a featherweight, while Asghar a light-welterweight.

Light-flyweight Noman Kareem, who won the first-ever medal of the country at the world championship recently winning the bronze, is also expected to claim a medal.

But Pakistan, the champions of earlier two editions, will sorely be missing their inspirational featherweight Haider Ali who snapped-up one of the six gold medals at the previous tournament.

Haider, who grabbed the Commonwealth Games gold in Manchester last year, had opted for greener pastures and left Pakistan to become a professional in England after earning the medal.

The promising featherweight had won the gold in second Green Hill Cup in Karachi after thrashing Japan’s Yasunati Yashimura 13-4.

Another pugilist who would have been potential medal winner but will miss the event is heavyweight Shaukat Ali who has been forced to skip the tournament following a nose surgery lately.

Pakistan, however, are being anticipated to retain the title but not before some tough fights against the Thais who finished as runners-up in inaugural and second edition.

Thailand’s light-welterweight Somchai Nakbaree, the best boxer of the second edition, will be the biggest threat for the Pakistanis and other opponents.

Other countries to take part are Sri Lanka, North Korea, China, Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Hungary, Russia, Kazakhstan, Philippines and Kuwait.

Russia will also be one of the tough rivals, while Azerbaijan will be having Sydney Olympics bronze medallist middleweight Alekperov Vugar in their ranks.

Afghanistan’s participation will be another highlight of the event. The Afghans will be taking part in the event for the first time after being banned to compete in the first edition because of violation of rules.

Although a five-member Afghan squad came in 1998 inaugural edition, they refused to shave off their beards fearing wrath of the then Taliban regime back home. Bearded boxers cannot compete since it is against international boxing rules.