Devendro beats Beijing Games silver medalist to enter QF

Laishram Devendro Singh proved too good for 2008 Beijing Games silver medallist Serdamba Purevdorj of Mongolia to storm into the quarter-finals of the men's light-fly (49kg) category at the London Olympics' boxing competition on Saturday.

The pocket-sized dynamo from Manipur won 16-11 and put himself a win away from a bronze medal.

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Devendro started from where he left in his opening bout and kept Purevdorj under pressure by adopting aggression from the word go. He was quick with his footwork and also displayed fast hands, which the fourth seeded Mongolian, who was brought down to the canvas twice in the bout, found hard to counter.

With some quick left-right punches, Devendro seized the early initiative by taking a 4-3 lead in the opening round.

He continued the onslaught in the second and sent his opponent down to the canvas with a combination of powerful left-rights. A stunned Purevdorj, the 2009 World champion, seemed to run out of steam as Devendro pocketed the second round 4-2 to widen the lead.

The Indian did not relent and within 60 seconds of the third round the Mongolian was given a standing count by the referee, courtesy a powerful straight punch from Devendro.

Even though Purevdorj regained his composure and scored a few late points, 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 face Paddy Barnes of Ireland in next round. Victory there will guarantee him and India another bronze medal.

Photograph: Ivan Sekretarev/AP