India’s campaign at the Asian Boxing Championships 2026 began on a positive note, with Preeti Pawar and Deepak securing victories in their respective opening bouts in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Preeti Pawar delivered a dominant performance in the women’s 54kg category, defeating Kazakhstan’s Elina Bazarova by a unanimous 5-0 decision. The Indian boxer, who recently won gold at the World Boxing Cup Finals, controlled the bout throughout against her experienced opponent, a former Asian U22 champion. Her composed and precise approach ensured a convincing start to her campaign. In the men’s 70kg division, Deepak edged past Uzbekistan’s Khavasbek Asadullaev in a closely contested bout. The Indian secured a 3-2 split decision win, showcasing strong tactical awareness and resilience. Facing an opponent from one of the leading boxing nations in Asia, Deepak maintained discipline under pressure to come through a tight contest. With two wins from two bouts, India has made a strong start in the opening phase of the tournament. Both victories came against quality opposition, underlining the competitiveness of early-round matchups at the continental event. The …