Johnson Verghese lose but picks up Bronze

Doha, Dec 11 (UNI) The last Indian pugilist in the fray, Johnson Verghese suffered heavy punishment before he decided to retire from the semifinal contest against Kazakhstan's Mukhtarkhan Dildabekov in the super heavy 91 kg category bout of the boxing competition at the Asian Games here today.

The defeat notwithstanding, Johnson earned a Bronze as the losing semifinalists are entitled this medal in this sport.

Yesterday, another Indian Vijender had also lost in the semifinals of the 75 kg category and earned a bronze.

The Indian campaign in Asian Games boxing competition thus ended with two Bronze medals this evening.

The 24-year-old Indian came under heavy attack from the Kazakh rival, a silver medallist at the Busan Asian Games, the moment the bout started but he managed to ward off the punches by making some swift and fast movements. Though the Indian won the round 4-2, it sapped his energy.

The Bangalore-based boxer fought well in the second as the Kazakh increased his jabs and punches, returning the compliments with equal ferocity to win this round also 6-5.

But after that, Johnson looked totally worn out as Mukhtarkhan punched him to take the third round 9-2 and in the last round the Kazakh was leading 6-1 when Johnson raised the white flag and retired.

''I did not play well,'' admitted Johnson after the bout ''punches were lacking and my body was getting tight. In the second round, I was ok, then suddenly I got very tight and could not move my hands.'' The Indian said he did not know exactly the reason for his body stiffness.

''Usually I am quiet flexible, but maybe I did not do enough stretching after training,'' Johnson said.

He praised his rival saying, ''My opponent is a good boxer. He won a silver in the last Asian games.'' UNI HSB PDS KN2134