Indian boxer Nishant Dev’s journey in the Paris Olympics 2024 came to an end following a defeat in the 71 kg category against Mexico’s Marco Verde Alvarez. The bout, which was expected to be a strategic match-up, began with Alvarez aggressively attacking, forcing Nishant into a defensive position throughout the opening round. Despite Nishant managing to secure a 4-1 advantage with strategic body blows in the first round, the Mexican boxer turned the tide in the second round. The judges scored the second round 2-3 in Alvarez’s favor, equalizing the bout.
In the final round, Nishant struggled against Alvarez’s persistent attacks and eventually lost the match. This defeat was a significant blow to the Indian contingent, as Nishant had been considered a strong contender for a medal.
Surendra Chauhan, Nishant’s coach, expressed his disappointment over the loss but remained optimistic about the future. Chauhan highlighted that the match had been planned meticulously, and they had been confident of securing the gold. He noted that while Nishant’s performance was strong in the first two rounds, his performance dipped in the final round, allowing Alvarez to secure the win.
“We had planned this match exactly as we envisioned, and it felt very straightforward for us. We had beaten him before and were confident we would take the gold. The first round was completely ours. Although the judge gave equal scores for the second round, it was also ours. Nishant was a bit weak in the third round, so that round went to Mexico,” Chauhan said, as quoted by IANS.
Chauhan also emphasized that Nishant’s loss in Paris is just the beginning, with a long journey ahead. He expressed confidence that Nishant will be a strong contender in future Olympic Games, particularly looking forward to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
Nishant Dev had entered the quarterfinals following a narrow victory over Ecuador’s Jose Gabriel Tenorio Rodriguez, which was a notable achievement for his debut at the Summer Olympics. Chauhan reflected on the quarterfinal loss with a sense of heartbreak but also with a belief in Nishant’s potential. “The fight was undoubtedly ours. Everyone who hoped for this medal is deeply heartbroken,” Chauhan said.
The coach highlighted that Nishant had faced and defeated many of his opponents before, including a notable knockout victory over a USA boxer just a month prior to the Olympics. Despite the setback, Chauhan and the Indian boxing community remain hopeful and enthusiastic about Nishant’s future prospects.
With Nishant’s defeat, Vijender Singh remains the only Indian male boxer to have won a medal at the Summer Games, securing a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Nishant’s loss is a reminder of the challenges and fierce competition at the Olympic level but also of the opportunities and potential that lie ahead for Indian boxing.