In a dramatic and closely contested bout, Nishant Dev’s Olympic journey came to an end on Saturday following a split verdict defeat to Mexico’s Marco Verde Alvarez in the men’s 71kg quarterfinal at the North Paris Arena. Despite an impressive start and a strong performance throughout the fight, Nishant lost the match 1-4, narrowly missing out on a spot in the semifinals.
The 23-year-old Indian, who had previously defeated Alvarez at the 2021 World Championships, began the fight with a commanding performance. Nishant’s aggressive strategy saw him take the lead after the first round. He utilised his straight jabs effectively, landing them both to the face and body of Alvarez, which visibly fatigued his opponent.
Alvarez, who is the second seed, struggled to keep pace with Nishant initially but managed to make a comeback towards the end of the first round. A powerful right hook followed by a left jab forced the referee to issue a standing count against Nishant. Despite this setback, Nishant’s dominance in the early stages of the match earned him a slight edge as they moved into the second round.
In the second round, both boxers showcased their skills with Nishant delivering a variety of punches, including hooks, while Alvarez increased his intensity. The judges awarded the round to Alvarez by a narrow 3-2 margin, as he and Nishant entered the final three minutes with Alvarez leading on one of the judges’ scorecards.
The final round saw Alvarez come out with renewed aggression. The Mexican fighter’s strategic approach paid off as he landed a series of effective punches, including an uppercut, while Nishant appeared to be exhausted and less effective in his strikes. Despite Nishant’s attempts to regain his momentum, Alvarez’s consistent performance in the final round secured his victory.
Alvarez acknowledged the challenge Nishant presented during the bout. “It was a tough bout, played with heart and mind,” Alvarez said. “I hit his body to set up for uppercuts. I had lost to him in the 2021 World Championships and have a lot of respect for him. He is a very technically sound boxer. My coaches advised me to play smart after losing the first round.”
Nishant’s defeat marks the end of his Olympic campaign and is a significant blow for Indian boxing. He becomes the fifth Indian boxer to exit the Games, with only Lovlina Borgohain, a bronze medallist from the Tokyo Olympics, still in contention.
As the Games continue, the focus now shifts to other events, with Indian athletes and officials hopeful for better results in the remaining competitions.