Glasgow: Led by Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh, Indian pugilists stole the limelight on the ninth day of the competitions with four of them storming into the finals of their respective weight categories in the boxing event of the 20th Commonwealth Games here today.
Star boxer Vijender produced yet another dominating performance against Connor Coyle of Northern Ireland in the men's middleweight (75kg) in an unanimous 3-0 verdict by the judges to book a place in the final and lead an Indian charge on the penultimate day of boxing competitions.
Mandeep Jangra (men's 69kg), Laishram Devendro Singh (men's 46-49kg) and L Sarita Devi (women's 57- 60kg) also boxed their way to the finals while Pinki Rani (women's 51kg) lost her semifinal bout to settle for a bronze.
Vijender continued with his aggressive style of boxing which has been his trademark style throughout the competition, forcing his opponent to defend most of the time. Vijender got identical 10-9 scores from the three judges in the first round. He was able to land a left hook onto the Irishman in the second round. Another right jab followed and Coyle went defensive and Vijender again earned identical 10-9 scores from all the three judges.
The third round did not have much action but Vijender was the clear winner with all the judges giving yet another identical 10-9 scores. Asked later if it was an easy fight, Vijender said, "There is never an easy fight and I don't underestimate my opponents. I will now prepare for the final bout."
Mandeep, on the other hand, fought his way back in a remarkable fashion after trailing in the first two rounds of his semifinal bout against Steven Donnelley of Northern Ireland.
Mendeep was trailing at the end of the first round with the three judges giving identical 10-9 scores in favour of the Irishman. The Indian recovered a bit in the second round with two judges giving 10-9 scores in his favour.
Mandeep, however, stormed back in a fine fashion in the final round with the three judges giving identical 10-9 scores in his favour to win the semifinal bout in a split 2-1 verdict.
