LAHORE, Sept 3: Four Pakistani boxers moved to the final round bouts of the Asian boxing championship after winning their respective bouts in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. A message received on Saturday said Pakistan’s Noman Karim, Meharullah, Asghar Ali Shah and Shaukat Ali are just a step away to claim the gold.

Out of twenty countries participating in the Asian boxing championship Kazakhstan’s four boxers also qualified for the finals, three each from South Korea and Uzbekistan. Sixteen qualified for semifinals and out of them eleven moved into finals of the championship.

Pakistan’s Noman Karim beat Tran Quoc Viet of Vietnam on points 36:13. His opponent in the final will be Lee OK Sung of KOR.

Meharullah outpointed Urias Arenaldo Moniaga of Indonesia on points 32:15. He will take on Kim Song Guk of DPRK in the finals.

Asghar Ali Shah outslugged Mark Jason Melligen of Phillipines on points 39:19. He will face Nurgozhizhenis of KAZ for the gold.

Shaukat Ali scored a convincing victory over Jung Eu Chan of KOR on points 31:15. He will meet Matchanov Jasur of Uzbekistan in the final.

Following countries and number of boxers will compete for title of Asian champion on Sunday after Saturday’s rest day. Kazakhstan 4, Pakistan 4, Korea 3, Uzbekistan 3, Iran 2, Thailand 1, Tajikistan 1, Turkmenistan 1, Philippines 1, Mongolia 1, DPR Korea 1.

Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei, Laos and Kyrgyzstan boxers failed to win any medal.—Agencies