Mary Kom Wins 5th Consecutive World Title

MC Mary Kom boxes clever

Indian boxer MC Mary Kom wins her fifth consecutive world title at the Women's World Boxing Championships in Barbados

MC Mary Kom has won a fifth consecutive world title by out-punching Steluta Duta of Romania 16-6 in the final of the under 48kg category of the AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships in Barbados.

The win also means that the mother of twins from Manipur, India has won a medal at all six of the World Championships.

In a high-scoring match, Steluta Duta started the brightest but MC Mary Kom came from behind to dominate the Romanian.

Stela Duta and Mary Kom were equally determined to establish the rhythm of the match in their favour leading to an energetic first round. The Romanian proved to be more effective though, returning to the corner 4-3 ahead.

At the start of the second round, Duta tried to keep up the pressure but Mary Kom landed a heavy hit that levelled the scores. Duta struggled through the rest of the round as Mary Kom, in contrast, finally hit her stride.

After adjusting to the initial onslaught, Mary Kom had found both her rhythm and her range so that by the end of the round Mary Kom was dominating the bout 9-5.

In the third, Duta was unable to match Mary Kom's intelligent counter-punching and powerful combinations. The Indian was accurate, balanced and equally effective with both hands, building up a 12-5 lead.

MC Mary Kom was ferocious in the final round and despite Steluta Duta's attempts at a final rally, the woman they call "Magnificent Mary" won her fifth consecutive world title 16-6.