World Boxing Championships: Shiva Thapa outlasted Alberto Melian to crash into the quarterfinals

Rising Indian boxer Shiva Thapa (56kg) outlasted Alberto Melian of Argentina in the last 16 stage to crash into the quarterfinals of the World Championships here today.
The 19-year-old ruling Asian champion hammered Melian in a split decision of 2-1. He will lock horns with Javid Chalabiyev of Azerbaijan in the quarterfinals and a victory will secure at least a bronze medal for him in the mega-event.
On the other side, former cadet world champion Thokchom Nanao Singh (49kg) exited from the event following losing his prequarterfinal bout by 0-3 to eighth seed Anthony Chacon Rivera of Puerto Rico.
Shiva declared to the media that it was a very tough bout and took a lot out of him but he somehow pulled through.
Fortunately, silver-medalist at the 2010 Youth Olympics Shiva, encountered an opponent whose tactics were not much different from his own.
Shiva explained that he tried to play it cool in the opening round, but it could have gone either way because they were quite similar in their style. Moreover, it was a 50-50 thing. His rival clinched it, while he increased his tempo in the next two rounds.
National coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu, while applauding Shiva, commented that it was one of the best bouts he has witnessed. He also remarked that it was a very close bout as well as an excellent one. In fact, both wanted to counter-punch, but both of them had good footwork. However, Shiva dominated the 3rd round, which he won unanimously.
However, it was curtains for Nanao, who also endured a draining bout.
Sandhu opined that Nanao boxed very well too but he guesses the other guy managed to surpass due to some uppercuts that he connected very clearly. He thinks that Nanao was very good with his overall technique but anyway it happens.
The Manipuri-lad, who is a former cadet world champion, apart from being an Asian Championships silver-medalist, lost by 0-3 on points. Particularly, Rivera was warned once during the 3rd round, but that could not help Nanao's cause.