New Delhi: Dinesh Kumar failed to make the medal round after being outclassed by Russian Artur Beterbiev in the light heavy weight quarter-finals on, leaving Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh (75kg) as India's lone medal hope in the World Boxing Championships in Milan, Italy.
The 22-year-old's ouster leaves middle weight top seed Vijender as the lone Indian survivor in the mega event. The world No. 2 will take on Sergiy Derevyanchenko of Ukraine in his quarter-final bout.
Dinesh was trailing 3-5 and had survived three standing counts before a fourth count just over a minute into the second round prompted the referee to award the bout to Beterbiev.
"A loss always hurts but I am happy to have at least reached the last-eight stage. It was always going to be tough against Beterbiev, who is a World Cup gold medallist, but I know I gave my best," Dinesh told PTI from Milan.
National coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu also lauded Dinesh's performance.
"He has does well for himself and goes back a better boxer. A disappointing result today but I am glad with what he has done," he said.
Late on Tuesday night, Vijender got the better of Canadian Steve Rolls 4-2 to make the last eight stage to be just one win away from notching up India's maiden medal at boxing's blue-ribbon event.
"It was low scoring and there were some tense moments but I am happy to have come out on top in the end," Vijender said.
The Haryana-boxer was trailing 0-1 in the opening round but drew form his experience and long reach to get the better of his rival.
"The scoring was tough but the support that I got from my team, coaches and the fans here was enough to keep me focused," he said.
Vijender landed a couple of straight punches to end the second round 2-1 up.
In the third round, Vijender increased his lead by a couple of more points and spent the final few seconds of the bout dodging his opponent with intelligent footwork.
"I know I am on the verge of another historic first but I am not nervous and feeling quite confident about winning my next bout," the 23-year-old world No. 2, who takes on Derevyanchenko in the last-eight stage, said.
"I have never competed against this Sergiy. He comes from a country that has a good reputation internationally but I am confident about my game. I am in good form and feeling fit. So, I hope to be at the winning end."
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