Having collected 12 points in their earlier matches, Punjab Panthers rested skipper MC Mary Kom, Uzbek star Abdulmalik Khalakov and Manoj Kumar and fielded four Big Bout debutants in their penultimate league match. Bengaluru Brawlers who had won only six points from three earlier matches.

After Anamika and Simranjit Kaur gave the Bengaluru Brawlers a head start by winning the women’s bouts,Dinesh Dagar , and Pawan Kumar Narwal (75kg) served their team well by posting their maiden win in four matches.

In the absence of Mary Kom,World Youth Championships silver medallist,Anamika, made light of southpaw Darshana Doot's challange. Anamika showcased her superior technical skills to overcome the height and reach advantage that her rival started with.

She used her speed and aggressive approach to force Darshana Doot, , to backpedal a lot in the opening round. Though the Punjab Panthers boxer made a comeback of sorts in the second round, finding the gap in Anamika’s defence, the dapper Bengaluru Brawler pugilist emerged easy winner.

Punjab Panthers’ PL Prasad made it 1-1 whe he recorded a unanimous points verdict over Ashish Insah . It was in soaking in the pressure of having to earn a crucial point for his team that Prasad, stood out. He moved deftly and landed punches to ensure that he would always be ahead.

Dinesh Dagar got familiar with the taste of victory by scoring a split decision over Big Bout debutant Yashpal who replaced the experienced Manoj Kumar in the Panthers’ line-up. Skipper Simranjit Kaur extended her run of wins to four in as many starts by defeating an enthusiastic Manisha, preferred by the Panthers ahead of South Asian Games champion Sonia Lather. On her part, Manisha did well to harry Simranjit Kaur consistently with a left hook that fetched her points.

With a lot depending on him, Pawan Kumar Narwal earned his maiden Big Bout win with a split 4-1 verdict over former national champion, southpaw Rakesh Kumar in the penultimate bout. The manner in which he balanced attack with defence was impressive and he imposed a standing count in the second round with a combination of punches to swing the balance decisively in his favour.

However, despite the defeat in the match, Punjab Panthers returned to the second place on the points table through victories for Ankit who beat his fellow-Big Bout debutant Suraj Singh in the 57kg battle and Naveen Kumar who vanquished Harshpreet in the 91kg battle that closed the night. Panthers have 15 points from four matches behind Gujarat Giants (17 points from four).