KARACHI: Fancied Army is expected to get tough resistance particularly, from Navy and Balochistan, in their bid to return with flying colours as curtain falls on the all-Pakistan Amir Khan boxing tournament at Ustad Abdullah Baloch Stadium, Peoples Sports Complex, on Monday.

Reigning national champion Army earned lion’s share when their five boxers stormed into the finals. As many as 10 golds and as many silvers are at stake in the competition.

Of five, Owais Ali Khan is the only boxer who has won gold medal in the 81kg final of the 35th national boxing championship

Challenger Navy is on their heels after securing four berths in the final. The sailors too, have one national championship gold medallist in their fold in Tanveer Ahmed in the 75kg.

However, none of the three Balochistan boxers have made it to the finals of the preceding country’s premier boxing event.

The president of the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) Doda Khan Bhutto chaired a meeting at the venue on Sunday to review the arrangements for finals and closing ceremony.

According to organisers, the gold medallist will receive a sum of Rs20,000 while the silver medallist Rs15,000. In addition, all the 180 participants earns appearance money of Rs5,000 apiece.

Pakistan Rangers Sindh has also planned to reward 60 international boxers, who hails from the city.

A big screen has also been erected in the football ground as a large turnout is expected to watch the finals.

Two-time former world boxing champion Amir Khan has arrived here from Islamabad and will grace the occasion on Monday. Senior officials of the Sindh Rangers will also present.

Monday’s fixtures:

Finals start at 2pm.

49kg: Jehanzaib Khan (Sindh Greens) v Daud Khan (Navy).

52kg: Asif Raza (Navy) v S. M. Asif (Balochistan).

56kg: Nadir Baloch (Rangers) v Shoaib Khan (Gilgit-Baltistan).

60kg: Aamir Khan (Navy) v Kamran Khan (Army).

64kg: Suleman Baloch (Army) Adnan Hasan (PAF).

69kg: Aamir Khan (Wapda) v Abdul Rauf (Army).

75kg: Faisal Khan (Balochistan) v Tanveer Ahmed (Navy).

81kg: Asmatullah (Balochistan) v Owais Ali Khan (Army).

91kg: Azhar (Gilgit-Baltistan) v Mirza Adam (PAF).

+91kg: Yasir Jamil (Sindh Whites) v Mohammad Shehbaz (Army).

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2015