New Delhi: Short-arm jabs, quick reflexes, lightening fast punches and a good defensive strategy. Vijender Singh had it all as he outpunched his toughest opponent thus far, Kerry Hope of Australia, for the WBO Asia Pacific super-middleweight title at teh Thyagaraja Indoor Stadium here on Saturday.
The three judges delivered a unanimous decision in the Indian’s favour 98-92, 98-92, 100-90 keeping his professional record intact. It was Vijender’s seventh win in as many professional bouts.
Vijender got an early taste of what it was going to be like when he walked down the ramp for his first professional bout at home as the huge crowd welcomed their favourite boxer with a deafening roar.
The 30-year-old was cautious initially with Hope attacking. But Hope’s offence did not pay off as Vijender landed his first few punches on target. Quick reflexes and agile footwork helped the Indian avoid quite a few punches thrown at him by the Australian. Vijender’s every punch evoked loud cheers and chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” as it was all Vijender in the first three rounds.
In the fourth and the fifth rounds, former European champion Hope paid a few back to the Beijing Olympic bronze medallist with Vijender still keeping his lead.
Vijender pulled the momentum back in his favour in the sixth and the seventh rounds with a few quick but controlled punches. Vijender was quick to pounce on every opportunity whenever Hope faltered.
Earlier, the under-cards set the tone for the marquee Singh-Hope battle, putting on display some real intent and fighting spirit. To start off the evening in style, Asif Khan punched his way past Sachin Siwan in the super lightweight division registering a unanimous decision. Next up was the six-round international super bantamweight Indo-Thai contest between Sunil Siwach and Natdanai Pengthong of Thailand.
The Indian was far better of the two right from the beginning as his rapid-fire punches rocked the Thai pro within the first minute itself. It was a knockout win for Siwach.
The second most anticipated contest of the night was the eight-round India IBC super welterweight championship title fight between Maharashtra’s Siddharth Verma and Haryana’s Dilbagh Thakran. It was the 32-year-old Verma who took home the champion’s belt.
