Mumbai: Beijing Olympics bronze medalist Vijender Singh stretched his unbeaten record to nine in his professional boxing career after outpunching China’s Zulpikar Maimaitiali at NSCI here on Saturday.
Vijender who has reworked his technique with Manchester-based trainer Lee Beard to take on his southpaw opponent won the 10-round thriller on points in the ‘Battleground Asia’ by IOS Boxing Promotions. Maimaitiali put up a tough fight but his mistakes that resulted in couple of penalties cost him the title. It was a first defeat for Zulpikar in his ninth professional bout.
Watched by a galaxy of stars including Amitabh Bachchan and pro-India chants from a vociferous crowd, Vijender retained the WBO Asia Pacific super middleweight title and also snatched the WBO Oriental super middleweight title from his opponent.
The 23-year-old Maimaitiali was quick on his feet and looked to dominate from the first round. But Vijender kept his composure and guarded himself from his aggressive opponent. The second round was action packed with Vijender getting his jabs right.
Akhil, Jitender win on debut
Earlier, pro boxing debutants and former Beijing Olympics quarter-finalists Akhil Kumar (junior welterweight), and Jitender Kumar (lighweight) won their bouts in knockouts. Jitender unleashed ruthless punches to flatten his Thai opponent Thanet Likhitkamporn in the second round. Akhil beat Australian boxer Ty Gilchrist in a technical konock-out.
Earlier, Asad Asif defeated Philippine’s Larry Abarra in the super bantamweight category. Kuldeep Dhanda of Haryana then beat Sachin Bhot of Delhi in an all Indian clash of lightweight category. Bhiwani boxer Pardeep Kharera forced Wanphichit Siriphana to retire due to injury in welterweight category.
