Vijender packs a punch as 5 Indian boxers assure medals

Star boxer Vijender Singh punched his way into the semifinals assuring himself of a medal after four other Indian pugilists assured themselves of at least a bronze each in the 20th Commonwealth Games here today.
Vijender outclassed Trinidad and Tobago's Aaron Prince in men's 75kg category.
The 2008 Olympic bronze medallist won 3-0 on points in an unanimous decision of the three judges.
The first round was a bit subdued with both the boxers trying to get a measure of each other. Vijender played a bit defensively and Prince attacked more.
One judge out of three gave 10-9 points to Finch while the other two gave in favour of Vijender with identical scores.

In the second round though, Vijender's flurry of punches landed on his opponent who was in difficulty to fend them off. A straight jab and then a right hook punch from Vijender rattled Finch. The tempo continued in the third round and Vijender won comfortably at the end.

Earlier, experienced Laishram Sarita Devi and young Pinki Jangra reached the semifinals of the women's light (57-60kg) and 51kg boxing competition respectively.
World No. 3 L Devendro Singh outclassed Aqeel Ahmed of Scotland to advance to the medal round and so was Mandeep Jangra.
Sarita Devi, the 32-year-old from Manipur, came from behind to outsmart Charlene Jones of Wales 3-1 in a hard-fought quarterfinal bout. She will next take on Mozambique's Maria Machongua in the semifinals on Friday.

Pinki, who had beaten Olympic bronze medallist Mary Kom in the national trials to make it to the Indian CWG team, outclassed her Papua New Guinea opponent Jacquiline Wangi in a unanimous 3-0 decision by the judges in the semifinal bout.
In men's 69kg division, young Indian boxer Mandeep Jangra also assured himself of a bronze in his debut Commonwealth Games by advancing to the semifinals after his opponent failed the medical test ahead of their quarterfinal bout.
The Asian Championships silver-medallist, who has won two rounds so far in the event, will now be up against the winner of the clash between Canadian Custio Clayton and Northern Ireland's Steven Donnelly.