Sri Lanka’s Saman Priyadharshana in stunning win over Russia’s Pavel

By Ranjan ANANDAPPA

Stand in boxer Saman Priyadharshana Silva came up with a stupendous performance when he completely outpointed Russian boxer Drobyshev Pavel (7\2) in the feather weight 57 kgs weight category in the Sri Lanka Lions and Moscow Bears Dual Boxing competition at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium Boxing Ring yesterday.

The 21-year-old former Peradeniya MV and Slimline boxer Saman Priyadharshana Silva was a last minute choice for the sick Kamal Sameera who was ruled out of the competition.

He kept the Sri Lanka flag flying and the spectators on their toes with a scientific display of boxing against the World amateur feather weight champ Pavel who gave somewhat a woeful display.

The first round in this much looked forward competition was scoreless, but Silva had a good second round collecting four points and thereafter launched his attack in the final round (7\2) to the amazement of the famed boxer.

The other ‘Lions’ boxers surrendered meekly besides Anusha Kodituwakku who outpointed Gnevanova Svetlana of the ‘Bears’ in the women’s pin weight under 46 kgs category.

Women’s bouts - Pin weight under 46 kgs: Anusha Kodituwakku (Lions) beat Gnevanova Svetlana (Bears) 6\1.

Light fly weight under 48 kgs: Kukeshova Aleksandra (Bears) beat Chandrika Guruge (Lions) 8\6.

Fly weight under 50 kgs: Savelyeva Elena (Bears) beat Nilmini Jayasinghe (18\2.)

Men - Light fly weight under 48 kgs: Edigeshev Vadim (Bears) beat T.M.C.Tennekoon (15\3)

Fly weight under 51 kgs: Trifonov Alexey beat Dumith Wijeratna (11\4).

Bantam weight 54 kgs: Ivanenko Alexander (Bears) beat D.M.Samarasekera (16\1)

Feather weight 57 kgs: Saman Priyadharshana Silva (Lions) beat Drobyshev Pavel (Bears) (7\2).