Amandeep Singh assures India its first boxing medal at C'Wealth Games

Amandeep Singh assured India of its first boxing medal at the ongoing Commonwealth Games by advancing to the semi-finals with a 7-1 triumph over Malaysia's Muhammad Fuad here today.

The Punjab-boxer, for whom it would be his maiden CWG medal whatever be the colour, will now take on Ireland's Paddy Barnes, who beat Australian Andrew Moloney 5-3 in a tense quarterfinal bout."I am very happy to have assured myself of my first Commonwealth Games medal but the task would not be completetill I get the gold," Amandeep said after his bout.

Interestingly, Amandeep had defeated Fuad by exactly the same margin in the semi-finals of the Commonwealth championships held here earlier this year. 

The encounter today had its fair share of drama after the initial lull, during which the first round ended 0-0. More than half of Amandeep's points came because of Fuad's recklessness.Fuad was warned twice in the bout for ducking and ending up head-butting Amandeep in the process. 

"That is why it became difficult to connect punches because he was ducking too much," said Amandeep. 

Suranjoy Singh (52kg) will also be aiming for a semi-final berth in the ongoing afternoon session of the event.