CWG: Jadumani shines in India-Pakistan boxing clash; Preeti books quarterfinal spot
India’s boxing contingent enjoyed another impressive day at the Commonwealth Games 2026, headlined by Jadumani Singh Mandengbam’s commanding victory over Pakistan’s Sumama Rehman in a high-intensity men’s 55kg Round of 16 bout, while Preeti Pawar moved to within one win of a medal by reaching the women’s 54kg quarterfinals on Sunday.
India-Pakistan contests rarely lack intensity, and the atmosphere inside the arena reflected exactly that. Moments before the opening bell, loud chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” echoed around the venue as Indian supporters rallied behind Jadumani, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated bouts of the day.
The fight began at a frantic pace, with Rehman looking to unsettle the Indian through repeated clinches and physical exchanges. Jadumani initially boxed on the back foot, absorbing the pressure before finding his rhythm. Although Rehman enjoyed success in the early exchanges, the Indian landed the cleaner punches towards the end of the opening round to edge ahead on the judges’ scorecards.
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JADUMANI IN CONTROL
The contest swung decisively in Jadumani’s favour in the second round.
Switching to the front foot, the Indian repeatedly backed Rehman into the corners while landing sharp counter-punches and slipping his opponent’s wild swings. The turning point came when Rehman was ruled down, forcing the referee to administer a count after a knockdown.
With confidence flowing, Jadumani even produced a cheeky salute just before the bell as the Indian supporters roared their approval.
Holding a comfortable advantage entering the final round, Jadumani boxed with maturity, refusing to be drawn into unnecessary exchanges. His superior movement, timing and accuracy ensured there would be no comeback as all five judges awarded him the bout, sealing a dominant 5-0 unanimous decision.
The intensity of the contest remained evident after the final bell, with no customary handshake or embrace between the two boxers following the conclusion of the India-Pakistan showdown.
PREETI CRUISES THROUGH
Earlier in the day, Asian Games bronze medallist Preeti Pawar cruised into the women’s 54kg quarterfinals after forcing a second-round stoppage against Malawi’s Deborah Mtenje.
The 22-year-old from Bhiwani was in complete control throughout the Round of 16 contest. She won the opening round unanimously before forcing standing counts on Mtenje in both rounds. With the Malawian struggling to cope, the referee stopped the contest with 47 seconds remaining in the second round.
The victory leaves Preeti just one win away from securing her maiden Commonwealth Games medal. She will next face Northern Ireland’s Nicole Clyde, who advanced with a unanimous decision win over Ghana’s Nancy Bamfo. The two boxers know each other well, having trained together as sparring partners in Belfast ahead of the Games.
Preeti said she used the opening round to gauge the conditions inside the ring before raising the intensity in the second, adding that she was pleased with her draw and hopeful of reaching the podium.
With Jadumani delivering a statement victory in the marquee India-Pakistan clash and Preeti moving within touching distance of a medal, India continued its strong start to the boxing competition in Glasgow, with multiple boxers remaining firmly in contention for podium finishes.
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