Asian Games 2026: Ankush Panghal Assures Boxing Medal with Dominant Quarterfinal Win

Ankush Panghal assured India of another boxing medal at the Asian Games 2026 after producing a controlled and technically sharp performance to defeat Tajikistan’s Nekruz Salimov 5-0 in the men’s 80kg quarterfinal.

The Indian boxer dominated the first two rounds before successfully dealing with a desperate late assault from Salimov to secure a unanimous decision and book his place in the semifinal. The victory guarantees Ankush at least a bronze medal, while his campaign will continue against Uzbekistan’s Fazliddin Erkinboev on September 29. Erkinboev enters the contest as the reigning world champion in the 75kg category.

The quarterfinal began cautiously, with Salimov adopting a defensive approach and looking to maintain his distance while searching for opportunities to counter. Ankush, however, immediately displayed the movement and speed that would become the defining feature of his performance. The Indian moved around the ring, using quick jabs and probing attacks before connecting with a couple of right hooks as Salimov attempted to stay out of range.

Ankush then found success with combinations aimed towards the body, landing clean 1-2 punches as he began to take control of the exchanges. Salimov struggled to consistently find his target, while Ankush's footwork allowed him to avoid prolonged exchanges. The judges rewarded the Indian's superior work, with all five judges scoring the opening round 10-9 in Ankush's favour, giving him an early advantage.

Ankush continued in the same vein in the second round, but increased the pressure when opportunities appeared. Early in the round, he landed a superb left hook that caught Salimov cleanly. The Tajik boxer responded by dropping his defensive guard in an attempt to close the distance, but Ankush's speed allowed him to exploit the opening. He followed up with further punches to the body while maintaining enough distance to avoid Salimov's counters.

Salimov did manage to land a solid uppercut as he moved forward, but Ankush quickly responded with counter-punches of his own. The Indian boxer remained light on his feet, repeatedly moving around the ring while keeping Salimov within his sights. His ability to control the distance prevented the Tajik boxer from establishing a sustained attack.

Ankush again received a 5-0 score from the judges for the round. After two rounds, he had built a substantial advantage, with all five judges having him ahead 20-18 on their scorecards.

Salimov Launches Late Attack

With the bout slipping away, Salimov entered the final round knowing he needed a significant turnaround. The Tajik boxer became increasingly aggressive and attempted to turn the contest into a physical slugfest. He looked for opportunities to land heavy punches and force Ankush into an exchange that could potentially change the outcome.

Salimov did manage to connect with some punches, but Ankush remained disciplined. Rather than getting drawn into a prolonged exchange, the Indian relied on his defensive skills, using his movement to evade many of Salimov's attacks. He repeatedly bobbed and weaved away from the Tajik boxer's more predictable punches.

Salimov's aggression did earn him the final round on the judges' cards, with the Tajik boxer taking it 4-1. However, the late surge was not enough to overturn Ankush's advantage from the opening two rounds.

When the final verdict was announced, Ankush Panghal was awarded a 5-0 unanimous decision, sending him into the semifinals and guaranteeing India a medal in the men's 80kg category. The victory reflected a performance built around speed, movement, counter-punching and disciplined defence.

Ankush's success was particularly evident in the opening two rounds, where he consistently found ways to score without allowing Salimov to dictate the pace. Even when the Tajik boxer changed tactics and became more aggressive in the final round, Ankush retained his composure. The 5-0 decision also underlined how effectively the Indian boxer had established his advantage before the late Salimov push.

World Champion Awaits in Semifinal

Ankush now faces a considerably tougher challenge in the semifinal on September 29. His opponent will be Uzbekistan's Fazliddin Erkinboev, the reigning world champion in the 75kg category. The upcoming bout will therefore pit Ankush against an opponent with a world title to his name, making the semifinal another significant test in his Asian Games campaign.

For now, Ankush can celebrate securing a medal for India. His victory over Salimov has taken him into the final four, but with Erkinboev standing between him and a place in the gold-medal bout, the Indian boxer will have another major challenge ahead.

After a quarterfinal performance defined by speed, movement and effective counter-punching, Ankush Panghal has ensured that India will leave the Asian Games 2026 with another boxing medal. The colour of that medal will be decided in the final stages of his campaign.