Glasgow: India’s Jadumani Singh Mandengbam, right, after defeating Pakistan’s Sumama Rehman during the men’s 55kg boxing round of 16 at the 23rd Commonwealth Games, in Glasgow, Scotland. (PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary)(PTI07_27_2026_000003A)

India’s Jadumani Singh Mandengbam produced another assured display at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, defeating Pakistan’s Sumama Rehman by unanimous decision to book his place in the men’s 55kg boxing quarter-finals and keep India’s medal hopes alive in the category.The Manipur boxer claimed a dominant 5-0 victory in Sunday’s Round of 16 contest in Glasgow, showing control throughout the bout to overcome his Pakistani opponent and move into the last eight.The victory continued Jadumani’s impressive run at the Games after he had earlier opened his campaign with a convincing win over Scotland’s Aaron Cullen in the Round of 32.

Jadumani builds on strong opening victory

Jadumani entered the pre-quarter-final in confident form after producing a one-sided performance against Cullen, while Rehman came into the contest fresh after receiving a bye in the preliminary round.

The Indian boxer, who won silver in the 50kg division at last year’s World Boxing Cup Finals in Noida before moving up to the 55kg category this season, once again showcased the speed and composure that have made him one of India’s leading prospects.He also became the first member of India’s boxing contingent to step into the ring at the Glasgow Games.

Closely fought opening before Jadumani takes control

The opening round proved to be the most evenly contested phase of the contest.Both fighters exchanged punches freely, with Rehman making good use of his height and reach advantage while Jadumani relied on quick footwork, sharp movement and fast combinations to score.The judges narrowly favoured the Indian after the first round, but there was little separating the pair as they continued to trade attacks.

Glasgow: India’s Jadumani Singh Mandengbam, blue, competes against Pakistan’s Sumama Rehman during the men’s 55kg boxing round of 16 at the 23rd Commonwealth Games, in Glasgow, Scotland. (PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary)(PTI07_27_2026_000011B)

The pace and intensity increased significantly during the second round.Jadumani gradually established greater control before producing one of the decisive moments of the contest by scoring a knockdown on Rehman, shifting the momentum firmly in his favour.He maintained that advantage through the closing stages of the fight and secured a unanimous verdict after three rounds, with all five judges awarding him the contest.

Quarter-final clash with England awaits

The victory sends Jadumani into the quarter-finals, where he will face England’s Ellis Trowbridge on Tuesday for a place in the medal rounds.Under Commonwealth Games boxing rules, both losing semi-finalists receive bronze medals, meaning victory over Trowbridge would move the Indian into the last four and guarantee him a place on the podium.India has sent a 14-member boxing team to Glasgow, consisting of seven male and seven female boxers, with expectations of another strong medal haul.

Lovlina already guarantees India’s first boxing medal

India has already secured its first confirmed boxing medal of the Games through Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain.Competing in the women’s 75kg division, Lovlina received a direct bye into the semi-finals, automatically guaranteeing herself at least a bronze medal because both defeated semi-finalists receive podium finishes under Commonwealth Games regulations.She is scheduled to face Tuvalu’s Tarona Khanum Badi Pasoni Taafaki in the semi-finals on July 31, with a place in the gold medal bout at stake.

Sachin Siwach also progresses

India’s boxing campaign has gathered momentum elsewhere in Glasgow as well.Sachin Siwach, one of the country’s leading medal hopes in the men’s 60kg division, progressed from the Round of 32 after edging Canada’s Keoma Al-Ahmadieh by a 4-1 split decision in a closely contested bout.The 26-year-old from Bhiwani, Haryana, will next face England’s William Hewitt on Monday with a place in the quarter-finals on the line.With Jadumani safely through to the last eight, Lovlina already assured of a medal and Siwach continuing his campaign, India’s boxing contingent remains firmly in contention across multiple weight categories as competition continues in Glasgow.