3 Indian boxers reach quarterfinals

Melbourne, Mar 19 (UNI) It turned out to be a good outing for the Indian pugilists as three of the four in action recorded easy victories and sailed into the quarterfinals of the Boxing Competition of the Commonwealth Games here today.

Ajay Kumar gave India a good start when he thrashed Tonga's Mokhai Parah on points in the one-sided 81 kg category contest.

The Indian won 22-16 on points as he dominated the ring in all the four rounds. Ajay began in style, collecting two quick points in the first round and maintained the lead in the next round too.

Midway through the third round, Parah came close to Ajay equalling 8-8 but then the Indian, having height advantage, managed to force his rival to go on the backfoot. He kept the Tonga boxer at bay and collected points at will.

Ajay's right cross were showering on the Tonga pugilist in quick succession and soon he was in total command of the bout.

The next two round were dominated by the Indian as his rival kept running around the ring to avoid punishment.

However, in the second bout saw Sunjoy Singh Mayengbam surprisingly losing to Darren John Langley on points 20-12 in 91 kg category.

Sunjoy was slow in reacting as Langley unleashed flurry of punches on him. The Indian lost the first two rounds 3-6, and 1-2. He came back strongly in the third, which he won 8-6 but the Englishman pounded him mercilessly in the last (6-2) to emerge winner.

In the 69 kg category, 21-year-old Vijender plastered Seychells' Andy Alvyn Gabriel in a bout which turned out to be a virtual no contest.

Vijender outpointed his rival to emerge winner 25-11. He dominated all the four rounds winning them with ease (6-3, 6-1, 8-4, 5-3). Andy looked a novice because he just refused to avoid contact with his oponent. He time and again ran around the ring, forcing the referee to intervene repeatedly.

The bout involving V Johnson saw referee stopping the contest to protect Johnson's rival.

The 91 kg plus category bout involving Johnson and Kenya's Orieyo Fredrick Oracho lasted only 35 seconds as referee stopped the contest in favour of the Indian who was leading 3-0 at that stage. The Kenyan looked helpless and pleaded for mercy when the referee intevened to stop the contest.

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