London: Boxer L Devendro Singh made a sensational debut in the Olympics, storming into the pre-quarterfinals of the men’s light flyweight category (49kg) in just two minutes and 64 seconds at the on Tuesday.
Devendro stopped his opponent Bayron Molina Figueroa of Hondurus with 36 seconds left in the opening round as the referee called off the unequal contest.
The 20-year-old pocket-sized dynamo from Manipur meant business and started the bout on an agressive note against Figueroa.
Devendro displayed quick footwork and stunned his opponent with a flurry of power-packed punches on both mitts to dominate the contest from the start.
The Indian knocked Figueroa down to the canvas on his haunches with a powerful left hook that rattled his Honduran rival.
Meanwhile, India’s protest against the opening-round loss of boxer Sumit Sangwan (81kg) on Monday was rejected by the jury that reviewed his bout against Brazilian Yamaguchi Falcao Florentino.
“The protest has been rejected. The reasons were not given to us but in cases like these, it is extremely rare that a protest is accepted and the decision overturned,” national coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu said.
“Sumit is fine now. Obviously, he was very upset with the result. But there is no other option but to accept things and move on. He will have his chances in future,” said Sandhu about the 19-year-old from Haryana. (PTI)