Meanwhile, Vijender Singh (75kg) took just over a minute to pull off an intimidating knock-out win to assure a medal by entering the semis. He defeated Elias Nashivela of Namibia.
Melbourne Commonwealth Games gold medallist Akhil Kumar failed in his pursuit of a second gold at the CWG after he was outmanoeuvred in a points decision in the quarterfinals by Louis Julie, whom he had beaten in the 2006 final.
Meanwhile, Vijender Singh (75kg) took just over a minute to pull off an intimidating knock-out win to assure a medal by entering the semis. He defeated Elias Nashivela of Namibia.
Even the full-throated backing of a capacity crowd at the Talkatora Stadium on Sunday could not help Akhil find his way through the craft and defence of Louis. Things were even at 1-1 in the first round, but Louis managed to stay outside the hitting range of Akhil’s vicious right, and edged past by a point in each of the subsequent rounds.
“A defeat is a defeat,” said Akhil, who chose to be philosophical about the result. “Only one can win the gold. Whatever had to happen has happened. It is my destiny — it is god’s will.”
Shortly after, Akhil’s compatriot Jai Bhagwan eased the disappointment of the crowd somewhat with a clinical performance against Waheed Sogbamu of Nigeria in the lightweight (60kg) quarters. The 10-0 result now pits him against England’s Thomas Stalker, and both contenders
recognised that it could be a tough bout.
“I want to be a winner, the best around,” said Stalker. “He’s a good kid, the Indian. I have been working on a tight guard, and I don’t get punched often because I’m tall. We’ll see what happens.”
Bhagwan, who dedicated the win to his best buddy Vijender, acknowledged that he could have a tough match on his hands “My life can change if I win a gold medal. I see my photo in the papers every day, so there is a lot of pressure. I dedicate this victory to Vijender because I have shared hotel rooms with him for many, many years and he has motivated me.”
Dilbag Singh also made the semifinals in the welterweight (69kg) category, beating Moabi Mothiba of Botswana 11-3. Taking on the taller, free-swinging Mothiba, Dilbag peered from behind raised gloves and struck repeatedly on the counter.
Results: Quarterfinals: Bantamweight: Loius Julie (MRI) bt Akhil Kumar (Ind) 7-5; Lightweight: Jai Bhagwan (IND) bt Waheed Sogbamu (NGR) 10-0; Welterweight: Dilbag Singh (IND) bt Moabi Mothiba (BOT) 11-3; Middleweight: Vijender Singh (IND) bt Elias Nashivela (NAM) RSC
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