NEW DELHI, Aug 4: Laishram Devendro Singh outpunched Beijing Olympics silver medallist Serdamba Purevdorj of Mongolia 16-11 to storm into the quarterfinals of the men`s light flyweight (49kg) category at the London Olympics on Saturday.
Devendro got off to a good start with a flurry of punches on his Mongolian rival Serdamba as Devendro led the first round (4-3) by only one point.
Devendro kept the attack going and increased his lead to 4-2 after the end of second round. Devendro took the second round 4-2 with an overall lead of 8-5.
Devendro Singh Laishram reacts after winning his fight against Mongolia’s Serdamba Pureverdorj during the men’s light flyweight boxing competition in London on Saturday.
Devendro gave no chances whatsoever to his opponent and sealed the bout in his favour with an overall score of 16-11 after clinching the third round 8-6.
L Devendro Singh became the second Indian boxer to enter the quarterfinals beating Mongolian Serdamba Purevdorj 16-11 in a men`s pre-quarterfinal match of the 49-kg category at the ExCel Arena in London on Saturday.
Beijing Games bronze medallist Vijender Singh has also booked his place in the last eight.
The pocket-sized dynamo from Manipur outclassed his superior Mongolian rival 16-11 in the pre-quarterfinals at the ExCel arena and put himself one win away from a bronze medal.
Devendro started from where he left in his opening bout and kept Purevdorj under pressure by adopting aggressive attitude from the word go.
Devendro was quick with his footwork and also displayed fast hands, which his fourth seeded Mongolian found hard to handle as he was brought down to the canvas twice in the bout by the Indian.
With some quick left and right punches, Devendro seized the early initiative by taking a 4—3 lead in the opening round.
Devendro continued the onslaught in the second round and manged to bring his opponent down to the canvas with a combination of powerful left and right punches.
A stunned Purevdorj, the 2009 World Champion, seemed to have ran out of steam as Devendro pocketed the second round 4-2 to widen the lead over his opponent.
Devendro was in furious mood as within 60 seconds of the third round the Mongolian was given a standing count by the referee, courtesy a powerful straight punch from Devendro.
Even though Purevdorj regained his composure and scored a few late points, but it was not enough as the 20-year-old Indian clinched a comfortable victory to book his place in the last-eight round of the competition.
Devendro will now face Paddy Barnes of Ireland in next round and a win there will guarantee him and India another bronze medal.
Devendro is the son of Laishram Jugindro Singh and Maklembi Devi of Yurembam.
He began his boxing career at SAI Imphal complex, where his elder sister Laishram Sushila Devi also an international boxer trained.
