India, July 25 -- Earlier this year, when Abhinash Jamwal defeated Shiva Thapa in the semi-final of Elite Men's National Boxing Championship on his way to the 65kg title, he turned a new leaf in his fledgling career. A 2015 World Championships bronze medallist, Thapa, despite being over the hill, has had little trouble dealing with domestic boxers. Just last year, he had defeated Jamwal in Shillong on the way to national title, but this time, the youngster had his moment.

That was just the beginning of what is turning out to be a remarkable season for Jamwal. The 22-year-old went on to win a silver each in the twin legs of World Boxing Cup in Brazil and Kazakhstan and followed it with topping the BFI interim committee's week-long assessm...