Suranjoy stunned in Boxing Natl`s, injury forces Akhil out

New Delhi: Asian champion Suranjoy Singh suffered a shock defeat, while Commonwealth Games gold medallist Akhil Kumar was forced out by a recurring knee injury on the third day of the 57th Senior Men`s National Boxing Championships here on Tuesday. Suranjoy (52kg), representing the Services Sports Control Board, lost 3-5 to old nemesis and Indian Boxing Federation entry Balbir, a former cadet world champion. Akhil, on the other hand, was declared medically unfit after developing swelling on his knee, forcing him out of the light weight (60kg) second round bout against World Youth champion Vikas Krishan. "It was an old injury that recurred during training last evening. Akhil was examined this morning and was advised not to compete as it might have aggravated the problem," Dr Karan Singh, who is attached with the national team, said. But shock of the day was Suranjoy`s loss. The diminutive Manipuri, who has won six international medals in the past one year including the Best Boxer trophy at the President`s Cup, was beaten after a hard-fought contest. His defeat dealt another blow to Services` title chances after Jai Singh Patil`s loss to Delhi-boxer Dilbag Singh in the welter weight 69kg category first round late last night. "It was an off day in the ring. My body was feeling stiff and it hampered my performance," said Suranjoy. Balbir said he capitalised on the lack of power in Suranjoy`s punches. "I have beaten him twice in the past. Suranjoy is all speed and no power and I put my soul into every punch I land. This is my chance to make an impression and perhaps get selected for the national camp. I had to grab it," said Balbir, who was in wilderness for the past one year due to disciplinary problems. Railways, on the other hand, had another good day with Olympian Diwakar Prasad leading the way with a clinical 12-2 win over Delhi`s Akshay Kumar. The nimble-footed Jharkhand-lad impressed with his razor sharp reflexes and outstanding counter-punching in a lopsided bout. Two-time national champion Kuldeep Singh (75kg) then added to the cheer with a convincing 14-2 triumph to enter the quarterfinals. Another Railways` boxer Jasveer Singh (81kg) too advanced to the last eight when his powerful blows left Chattisgarh`s Amit Singh bleeding and unfit to fight in the second round. Olympian Dinesh Kumar (81kg), competing for All India Police, easily out-classed Nagaland`s Ratan Chand to make the last-eight stage. Among others, former Asian bronze medallist Manoj Kumar out-punched All India Police`s Dalbir Singh in the light welter weight category. PTI