Dilbagh Singh packs a punch

Sandy Brown in Bangkok

Welterweight pugilist Dilbagh Singh produced a heroic display and emerged the lone boxer to keep the Indian flag flying high as he stormed into the semi-finals of the 24th King's Cup amateur boxing tournament, in Bangkok on Wednesday.

Dilbag, fighting courageously, made light of the fact that he conceded nearly one-and-half feet in height to Thai opponent Decharpol Suwarnalerd in the 67 kgs class and came out a worthy 11-10 winner.

What Dilbag did with this brilliantly carved out victory was that he effectively halted the Thai juggernaut. The well-drilled Thai outfit, backed by a vociferous audience, had till Dilbag's display won all their bouts.

However, two other Indians made their exit from the tournament, which has a rest day on Thursday.

Olympian boxer Suresh Singh Soucom lost his flyweight (51 kgs) encounter to Thailand's Somjit Jongjorhor, who triumphed with a measure of ease at 12-0, while Som Bahadur Pum was distinctly unlucky to lose his featherweight (57 kgs) contest to Thai's Terdsak Jandang.

Dilbag fought well within himself against his much taller rival and opened up a cut over the left eye of his opponent with a flurry of fierce punches. Protecting himself well with a well-positioned guard, the Indian seized his chances to score decisive points whenever presented the opportunity. Though he was cautioned by the referee, Dilbag didn't hesitate to go on the offensive and ultimately brought cheer to the Indian camp.

Earlier, Som Bahadur Pun proved true to his name and gave as good as he got against Terdsak. Though he took things easy in the first two rounds, he gave all that he had in the final two rounds and looked to have done enough to secure a victory but the judges saw it differently and gave the verdict to Terdsak.

But the 18-year junior, who only recently advanced to the senior ranks, proved that he has sufficient potential to be a good prospect for India in the future.

On a day which witnessed some well-fought bouts, it was near total Thai domination in the absence of the Cuban and American contingents. Light-welterweight Manas Boonjamnong was one of the day's most impressive victors. He held complete sway over Korea's Kim Young Do. The 15-0 scoreline was confirmation of Manas's superb show.

Another impressive winner was Pakistan light-welterweight Ashohar Ali Shan, who packed too many punches for Laos Udone Khanxay. The referee had no option but to stop the one-sided contest.

Same was the case in the other light-welterweight bout, with Kuwaiti coach forcing his ward Alajmi Obigd to concede his fight against his Thai opponent Phongsak Reanthounthong.

Another light-welterweight bout featuring Russia's Zubox and Uzbekistan's Sarsekbaev Bahti witnessed a close contest, with Zubox edging ahead a winner at 11-8.

Results (quarter-finals):
Flyweight (51 kgs): Komjit Sudwisai (Thailand D) beat Shah Jawad Hussain (Pakistan) 10-4; Somjit Jongjorhor (Thailand A) beat Suresh Singh Soucum (India) 12-0; Halikov (Russia) beat Vinceht Palicte (Phillipines) 13-9; Worapoj Petchkhum (Thailand B) beat Hassen (Kuwait) 9-1

Featherweight (57 kgs): Suttisak Samrksamarn (Thailand A) beat Djuraev Dishod (Uzbekistan) 10-7; Roel Laguna (Phillipines) beat Haider Ali (Pakistan) 7-3; Terdsak Jandang (Thailand B) beat Som Bahadur Pum (India) 10-8; Parinya Changnquen (Thailand) beat Greogry Eadie (Australia) 11-6.

Lightwelterweight (63.5 kgs): Manas Boonjamnong (Thailand B) beat Kim Young-do (Korea) 15-0; Zubox (Russia) beat Zarsekbhaev Bahti (Uzbekistan) 11-8; Phongsak Reanthounthong (Thailand A) beat Alajmi Obigd (Kuwait) Retired in third round; Asohar Ali Shah (Pakistan) beatt Udone Khanxay (Laos) RSC in third round.

Welterweight (67 kgs): Ruslan Khairov (Azerbaijan) beat Zhong Bo (China) 16-1; Dilbagh Singh (India) beat Decharpol Suwarnalerd (Thailand A) 11-10.

Earlier report:
Indian pugilists get a beating