Olympic Boxing: India's Devendro Singh Blasts Bayron Molina

by Gautham Nagesh

Indian light flyweight boxer Devendro Singh Laishram won the easiest bout of the London 2012 Olympics to date, blowing out Bayron Molina Figueroa of Honduras in the first round on Tuesday.

Singh spent most of the fight chasing his opponent around the ring, as Figueroa alternated between running away and holding his foe. When the Honduran finally stood his ground and fought, he quickly took the worst of a heated exchange. A flush left hook to the face from the Indian forced Figueroa to take seat on the canvas. He rose, seemingly unhurt, but quickly went back to retreating.

Singh continued to stalk his prey and eventually trapped him against the ropes, unleashing fast, hard combinations for which the Honduran had no response. Two standing eight counts later, the referee finally stepped in and stopped the fight. It was clear that Figueroa was completely out-classed. The official time was 2:24 of Round 1.[[MORE]]

The 20-year-old Devendro Singh Laishram showed some ability in the abbreviated bout, but it’s difficult to gauge his talent against such weak opposition. That problem will be quickly solved when he faces 2008 silver medalist Serdamba Purevdorj of Mongolia in the next round, which should give us a clear indication of Singh’s quality. Even if he loses, the experience will doubtless prove invaluable for Singh, who should still be around for the next Olympics. With a capable but young squad that has acquitted itself well in London, India is shaping up to be a potential factor in the medal race at Brazil 2016.