Rio Olympics: Vikas Krishan avenges London Olympics defeat, out punches American boxer

Rio de Janeiro: India’s Vikas Krishan, former Asian Games champion, outpunched teenager Charles Conwell of USA 3-0 to move into the pre-quarterfinals of the 75kg category in the Olympic Boxing competition here on Tuesday. American failed to break the jinx. For the past three Olympics, they have not been able to win gold in welterweight category. And for the Indian, the win against an American opponent was just a right retribution. Vikas was eliminated from the 2012 Olympic Games in London in the preliminary round, despite initially being declared the winner. His American opponent Errol Spence lodged a protest after the bout   claiming the referee had failed to notice Vikas committing fouls and intentionally spitting out his mouth guard. To Vikas’ disbelief, Spence’s appeal was upheld by the jury. This evening Vikas was more focused and did not play to the galleries. Conwell, the 18-year-old American amateur champion relied on his raw power which turned out to be his undoing. Conwell went on the attack but Vikas displayed tactical patience. Once he understood his rival’s game plan, the Indian launched counter attack. Though the American displaying his youthful exuberance was all over the ring, Vikas conserved his   energy and landed punched on his rival the moment he got the opening. Vikas kept his guard and defended well while Conwell tried to rattle his rival by unleashing flurry of punches which did not earn him the desired result. The 24-year-old Indian kept breaching his rival’s defence with clever jabs and forceful punches to win the first round with three judges giving him identical 10-9 verdict. Conwell was more attacking in the second round, but could not ruffle Vikas, who held back his punches only to use them with telling effect. The American youngster showed signs of desperation, and was twice warned by judge Fathi Madfoua of France. But it looked as the warning had no or little effect on the American. Vikas was not perturbed. He kept his cool and landed some quick punches on his rival, who was startled by these unexpected hits. The second round verdict was 2-1 in favour of the Indian with two referees giving Vikas 10-9 while third gave the American 10-9. In the final round, Conwell went ballistic. Knowing that he has lost two rounds narrowly, the American went for big points and put tremendous pressure on Vikas. The Indian avoided contact because he did not want to get hurt. The American was all over but Vikas defended well and did not allow his opponent to score big points. Though, in this round, two referees gave 10-9 verdict in favour of the American and one favoured Indian (10-9), Vikas was declared unanimous winner (29-28). “I did not go all out in the third round,” said Vikas after the bout. “I knew I had won the two rounds, so I did not want to attack and get attacked in this round. I did not want to get injured. Cornwell knew he had lost the two rounds. He was on the offensive as he had nothing to lose but I knew my job. I defended myself well.” He praised Conwell saying the youngster has lot of power but added, “I had experience and that counted in the bout.” Asked about his medal chances Vikas said, “Every boxer in this compettion has come to win the medal.” Coach GS Sandhu said, “We had planned the bout. We knew that young rival will use his raw power. The idea was to slow down the pace of the bout. And attack with instant impact.” “This was a tough bout but I was confident about Vikas,” he said and promised better showing by two other boxers also. The American‘s coach later said, “Cornwell is a baby of the team and our future prospect in boxing. On the other hand Vikas is an experienced boxer having won several medals in the International competitions.”