Safwan battles into national final

British-born boxer Al Safwan Uddin moved into the final of 60kg weight category in the 29th National Boxing Championships after beating Faisal Mollah in semifinal at the Muhammad Ali Boxing Stadium yesterday.

Safwan, who knocked out Kamruzzaman Jonny in the first round of their bout on Thursday, had to fight against Faisal of Bangladesh Army till the third and final round to ensure his victory.

Safwan will now play final against the winner of the other semifinal between Rakib Sheikh and Amit Mandal today.

“I was confident of winning the match because I know boxing is a game of points and I know how to collect points and I played that way,” Safwan told reporters after the match.

“You saw I knocked him down in the second round and it inspired me a lot and increased my confidence to finish on top,” said Safwan. “The difference is that I play against those who are technically sound but the boxers in Bangladesh have good spirit because my opponent despite being knocked down stand up and continued to fight which is a spirit I really liked.”

Safwan was also impressed with the performances of local boxers Robin Mia and Moshiur Rahman Kajal, who according to Safwan are technically good.