Pint-sized Devendro storms into light-fly weight quarters

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Indian boxer Laishram Devendro Singh stunned 2008 Beijing Games silver medallist Serdamba Purevdorj of Mongolia to storm into the quarter-finals of the men's light-fly weight(49kg) category at the London Olympics, on Saturday.

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 managed 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 the Indian.

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.