Pugilist Dilbagh Singh knocked out in 69kg category

Doha, Dec 6 (UNI) Indian pugilist Dilbag Singh was battered and bruised by his Chinese rival Hanati Silamu in the 69kg welter category bout, which had to be stopped after two rounds in the boxing competition of the Asian Games here today.

Silamu displayed a professional and clinical approach as the bout started. The Indian failed to defend much against the Chinese and though he tried to duck, Silamu managed to land punches on his body.

The 25-year-old Dilbag ran around the ring but Silamu did not give him any chance to escape.

Silamu was very precise with his blows and did not wasted his energy by going for unnecessary jabs or punches. He hit the Indian where it mattered and such was the ferocity of his attack that Dilbagh was rattled.

The Chinese was in tearing hurry to finish off the bout and he achieved his target as Kazakhstan referee Berikbol Kassymkanov stepped in to stop the contest after the second round as Dilibag was heavily outscored.

Dilbag looked dazed by the flurry of punches that Silmau landed on him and he never got the chance to retaliate and in fact heaved a sigh of relief when the contest was stopped by the referee.

Silamu outscored Dilbag 11-3 in the first round and 17-5 in the second.

Speaking through his interpreter, Silamu said, ''I did not want to prolong the bout. It is very tiring out there and the sooner you finish, the better.

''I attacked my opponent from the start because I did not want him to settle down and that worked,'' he added.

UNI HSB AY VC1748