Battleground Asia | Vijender Singh defeats Zulpikar Maimaitiali to become double-title holder
Written by: SportsCafe Desk
Vijender Singh managed to get the better of Zulpikar Maimaitiali 96-93, 95-94, 95-94 in a fiercely contested bout at the Sardar Patel Indoor Stadium in Mumbai. The win saw the 31-year-old Indian extend his unbeaten record a pro boxer to 9-0 in front of a packed house at in Mumbai.
In a closely fought bout, a point was deducted from Zulpikar's score in the sixth round, without which the bout would likely have been ended with 96-94, 95-95 95-95 - a draw. However, even that score would have been favourable to the 31-year-old Indian who was on wobbly legs for the final three bouts of the contest against the 23-year-old from China. The win meant Vijender defended his WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight belt while also claiming Zulpikar's WBO Oriental Super Middleweight belt as the bout was a double-title fight.Ā
Vijender didn't bother that much about his ChineseĀ opponent but 21-year-old Zulipikar gave him a strong competition. Vijender's height helped him in straight ones and hooks during his face-off. AlthoughĀ Zulpikar'sĀ stamina gave him aĀ tough fight in the last two rounds, it was not enough to stop the Indian. Now, after this mega clash, Vijender remains undefeated in his professional career, taking his record to 9-0 and now holds the WBO Asia-Pacific Supermiddleweight title as well as the WBO Oriental Supermiddleweight title.
āI didnāt expect him to fight so well and last the distance,ā Vijender said after winning the bout.
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