Listless Bayron no match for fiery Devendro

London, 31 July 2012: For a lesson in quick demolition job, Olympic Games boxing arena was the place to be on Tuesday.

 

India’s Laishram Devendro Singh was the man handing out the lesson and at the receiving end was Bayron Molina Figueroa of Honduras. Just 2 minutes and 24 seconds were all that Devendro needed to power past Figueroa and make a dazzling start to his campaign in the 49kg category at London 2012.

 

Aggressive from the very beginning, he rocked the Honduran with a flurry of punches and the referee stepped in with 36 seconds to go in the first round to stop the contest.

 

“I knew he wasn’t a strong opponent and I wanted a quick win today,” said Devendro even as the fans acknowledged his quick-fire act. “The coming fight will be tougher. I will study the videos and plan my strategy accordingly,” added the Manipuri.

 

Devendro’s couldn’t have drawn a tougher rival in the next round -- he  will be up against Serdamba Purevdorj of Mongolia, the world’s number two boxer. India’s Cuban coach B I Fernandes agreed that it will be a tough hurdle to cross.

 

“He is a top boxer, let’s what happens. Today, Devendro had a weak opponent. We had told him to go easy,” he said.

 

Devendro, though, wasn’t listening. “Yes, he did tell me to take it easy but I can’t take anything easy, that is not my nature,” he said. Indeed he didn’t take it easy on the day. After dancing around a bit, Devendro went about his job in a business-like fashion. He ripped open the Honduran’s defence with a combination of punches and even floored him with a fierce left.

 

As the punishment continued, the referee gave Figueroa a standing eight count and soon after, another count followed. Then came the final intervention, leaving the Honduran in tears and Devendro overjoyed.