India goes medal less in Olympic Boxing as Vikas Krishan gets thrashed

RIO DE JANEIRO: Vikas Krishan’s dark side of the prophecy came true as Indian challenge in the Olympic Boxing competition ended unceremoniously and without a medal here. Vikas before his 75 kg quarter final fight against the second-seed Uzbek Bektemir Melikuziev had predicted that it “will; be going to be gold or bust’ “If i win this fight i will win the gold, otherwise back home without medal” Vikas not only lost the bout 0-3 but he got the thrashing he is unlikely to forget easily and with his unceremonious exit India is without an Olympic boxing medal for the first time in eight years. "I've always struggled a bit against southpaws. In India, it's difficult to find southpaws to practice against. Probably five per cent of the boxers are southpaws in India. I had planned to stay away from his left and counter Vikas said after the bout. Bektemir Melikuziev was brutal and he did not give his rival any quarter r chance to survive. The Indian , despite his brave talk soon realized that the world No.3 Melikuziev,was too tough and too ruthless as an rival. Vkas was very defensive and most part of the first round the Indian was not in the fight as the Uzbek scored at will with his lethal left hand. The second round was more gut wrenching as Melikuziev unleashed flurry of punches with telling effects. He used his right jab to a devastating effect. In fact, one such blow led to Vikas spitting his gum-shield out and even before he could recover, a left hook from Melikuziev had left him dazed. Melikuziev's dominance was so overwhelming , that two of the judges gave 10-8 verdict d in his favour in the second round. The Indian completely lost the plot, if he ever had one i n the final three minutes, struggling to keep his balance after the pounding he took in the first two rounds. In the end, it turned out to be virtual no contest l for the 20-year-old Melikuziev, who was hitting at will against a near stationary Vikas. "It was pretty tight in the first round and I thought I got some good punches away," Vikas said . "I thought I should have been given the first round. His confidence went up after getting the decision and he started dominating. My strategy was successful in the first round. Because of my lack of training against southpaws, I found it difficult to defend against his punches." I thought that on August 15 I would present a medal to my people in India but I could not do it," he said, and then lamented "Our boxing federation was banned so we could not go out to other countries to train with better boxers. But I am not blaming anyone. I lost because of me. I am sorry that I could not win."