'Magnificent' Mary Kom in World C'ship quarters

Bridgetown :

Indian boxer M C Mary Kom (48kg) continued her march towards a fifth consecutive World Championship title by advancing to the quarterfinals with a thumping win over Australian Jenny Smith here.

Mary Kom dispatched Smith before the end of the first round with the referee stopping the contest when the score was already 9-0 in the Indian's favour.

The mother-of-two from Manipur, who is also a Khel Ratna awardee, will take on Welshwoman Lynsey Holdaway in the last-eight stage on September 15.

The 25-year-old is just one win away from assuring herself of a medal in the sixth edition of the event.

However, there was disappointment for Neetu in the 60kg category as she lost 2-12 to former world champion Katie Taylor of Ireland.

A vicious right hook in the first round could almost have sealed the contest, but Neetu managed to hold out for the full eight minutes.