India's Nikhat Zareen lands a blow in victory over Algerian top seed Roumaysa Boualam ©IBA

Home favourite Nikhat Zareen showcased her title-winning credentials by defeating Algerian top seed Roumaysa Boualam in the second round of the light flyweight division at the International Boxing Association Women’s World Championships here.

Boualam, a reigning African Games and Mediterranean Games champion, suffered a defeat by unanimous decision that left the Algerian coaching team angered.

Facing a passionate crowd and an opponent who had blitzed her opening-round bout, Boualam needed a big performance to come out on top.

After losing the first round 5-0, Boualam came back strongly in the next only to fall on the wrong side of the judges decision.

Boualam battled away but it was Nikhat's day as she sealed her place in the last 16, while Algeria’s coaches waved their fingers in disapproval of the decision.

Japan's Tsukimi Namiki suffered a shock defeat to Wassila Lkhadiri of France ©IBA
Japan's Tsukimi Namiki suffered a shock defeat to Wassila Lkhadiri of France ©IBA

Nikhat’s hopes of winning gold here were boosted even further when Japanese second seed Tsukimi Namiki was defeated by Wassila Lkhadiri of France.

Namiki, an Olympic bronze medallist, had looked in a strong position as she edged the first round before taking the next 4-1.

Lkhadiri managed to ruffle the Japanese boxer’s feathers in the final round as she won over the judges to claim victory after a bout review.

Spanish third seed Laura Fuertes Fernandez survived a scare after beating Mungunsaran Balsan of Mongolia in a closely-fought bout.

There were also wins for Colombia’s Olympic bronze medallist and fifth seed Ingrit Valencia against Kenya’s Veronica Mbithe, while Italy’s fourth seed Giordana Sorrentino overcame Russian Ekaterina Paltseva.

Italy's Giordana Sorrentino roars with delight after beating Russian Ekaterina Paltseva ©IBA
Italy's Giordana Sorrentino roars with delight after beating Russian Ekaterina Paltseva ©IBA

After picking up three victories yesterday, Russia would have been hoping to kick on but suffered two losses with Liudmila Vorontsova also crashing out at the hands of France’s Amina Zidani in the featherweight division.

Lin Yu-ting of Chinese Taipei launched her defence of the featherweight title with victory by split decision against Claudia Nechita of Romania.

Top seed and Olympic bronze medallist Irma Testa of Italy managed to withstand a late charge from Leilany Noshbet Reyes Moreno of Guyana to pass her opening test.

India’s Manisha backed up Nikhat’s success earlier in the day to delight the home fans with another victory, beating Australia’s Tina Rahimi by unanimous decision.

Sadia Bromand’s hopes of delivering gold are over after the lone boxer from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan lost to Turkey's Elif Nur Turhan.

Competition is due to continue tomorrow.