Vijender thrashes, Dinesh thrashed

Indian pugilists had mixed fortune with medal prospect Vijender Kumar breezing into the second round of the 75kg category while compatriot Dinesh Kumar's campaign in 81kg was knocked out in the first round at the Beijing Olympic on Saturday.

Vijender thoroughly dominated his bout against Gambia's Jack Badou at the Workers' Stadium to walk away with a facile 13-2 victory while Dinesh cut a sorry figure against Abdelhafid Benchabla of Algeria who outscored the Indian, forcing the referee to stop the contest.

Vijender next meets Chomphuphuang Angkhan of Thailand in the next bout and the Indian said he was itching to avenge his defeat against him at the President's Cup in Chinese Taipei in April.

 "He is a very good boxer and it will indeed be a tough bout. But I'm also looking for a win. Last time I lost to him but this time I'm looking for revenge," said the Haryana boxer.

"I enjoyed my bout today. To win the first round is always a good feeling," he added.

Vijender was cautious in his approach in the opening round when he gauged Badou, before going all out in the second, establishing a five-point lead by that time. 

Once he realised that the Gambian simply could not pose any threat to him, Vijender imposed himself on his opponent and carved out a facile win.

In contrast, Dinesh's misery knew no bound as the Indian proved easy meat for Benchabla who thoroughly dominated the bout, proving who is the boss.