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Controversial decisions in boxing continued as Vijender Singh went crashing out of the London Olympic Games. The entire nation was glued to their TV sets in the wee hours of the morning as Vijender Singh took on Abbos Atoev of Uzbekistan in the Quarter finals of the Men’s middleweight (75Kg) category. A billion’s dreams were shattered after the match was handed to the Uzbek after a controversial second round gave him the lead over the Indian. Atoev won the bout by 17-13 points.
Both boxers looked circumspect and made a very cautious start to the first round. Both kept up tight guards and looked to counter attack. There were very less punches exchanged as both boxers tried to feel each other out. Atoev, a former world champion, threw in a couple of jabs which were equally matched by two good right hands by Vijender. Both boxers ended the uneventful round on level terms on 3-3.
The second round saw more action as Vijender went in to the next gear. Using his height and reach, Vijender landed good 1-2 combinations on the Uzbek who struggled to keep up with the Indian’s swift punching. Atoev tried to get inside Vijender’s body and throw more body punches to drop his guard. Vijender however, mixed aggression with caution and kept swaying away from the Uzbek’s attacks. Atoev did succeed to land an uppercut and a couple of good left hands but it seemed Vijender had done enough to win the round. The judges, however, thought otherwise and awarded the round to Atoev 7-5. The scoring startled the viewers and the commentators who couldn’t believe that Vijender was trailing after getting the better of his opponent.
The third round was a complete mayhem with Vijender going for the broke. He lowered his guard and chased Atoev to the ropes at every possible opening. Atoev kept up a strong guard and took advantage of Vijender’s desperation to land in a few good rights. Vijender, running out of steam, gave it his all but missed quite a few straight punches which could have brought him back to level terms with the burly Uzbek. The Indian kept hitting the Atoev’s guard but a thumping right from Atoev sealed the game for him. The former world champion took the round 7-5 and the game by 17-13 points.
Vijender’s loss brought an end to the huge nationwide expectations of him. The entire nation looked up to the poster boy of Indian boxing who went to London to better his Beijing performance. Vijender defeated Terrell Gausha of USA 16-15, in a nail-biting thriller round of 16 bout. It was an intense battle that saw both boxers matching each other punch to punch but Vijender kept his cool and managed to get better of the American.
Vijender, now a veteran of three Olympics, will rue the fact that this was his best opportunity to win a gold for India in boxing. He would have preferred being knocked down rather than falling prey of indifferent judging.
Earlier, Mary Kom created history by confirming at least a bronze medal for India when she completely dominated Maroua Rahali of Tunisia to move into the semis of the London Olympics.
