Though the legendary Mary Kom and birthday boy Manoj Kumar helped Punjab Panthers stay afloat after Gujarat Giants opened with wins in the first three bouts, the Amit Pangal-led outfit sealed a morale-boosting victory when veteran Sarita Devi upstaged a zestful Manisha in the women's 60kg bout.
Skipper Mary Kom believed she had done Punjab Panthers a favour by blocking the 91kg bout, thus denying Gujarat Giants the chance to pick up a point through British champion Scott Forrest. But she was in for a shock when her teammate Abdulmalik Khalakov was beaten on points by Gujarat Giants' Chirag in the 57kg bout.
Preferred ahead of Mohammed Husamuddin in the line-up, Chirag, a World Military Games bronze medallist, pushed his Uzbek opponent Khalakov to the ropes and gave him little room to line up punches.
The experienced Ashish Kumar rallied from some early, energetic pounding by young Mohit in the 75kg battle to place Gujarat Giants in a commanding position even before their captain Amit Pangal stepped into the ring against P.L. Prasad.
Asian Games gold medallist and 2019 World Championship finalist Amit Pangal was at his best as he outclassed Prasad in the 52kg bout. His win gave the team a 3-0 lead and brought the Punjab Panthers under pressure. Mary Kom and Manoj Kumar then absorbed that to bring the Panthers back in the frame.
Having toyed with Rajesh Narwal, including a couple of powerful jabs on her face, Mary Kom gave her opponent a big hug and a peck on her cheek after she ran out winner.
Manoj Kumar found his rhythm in the second and third rounds after being at the receiving end of Duryodhan Singh Negi's speed and power in the first. It was a fine effort but not enough to spur the team to victory.
After eight of the 15 league matches, Gujarat Giants (14 points from three) leapfrogged to the top of the table. Punjab Panthers slid to the second spot with 12 points from three matches. Odisha Warriors (10 from three), Bombay Bullets (7 from two), NE Rhinos (7 from two) and Bengaluru Brawlers (6 from three) follow the leaders.
( With inputs from IANS )