WBO Asia Pacific champion, Vijender Singh, dug into experience to survive a furious assault from Zulpikar Maimaitiali, the WBO Oriental champion, in a winner-take-all fight, billed as Battleground Asia.
An Olympic bronze medallist, Vijender won the bout in a unanimous decision that favoured him 96-93, 95-94, 95-94 over 10 rounds of raw aggression, which saw Zulpikar receiving two warnings for unfair blows.
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Zulpikar managed to rain blows on Vijender initially but then came under pressure from the Indian, who was able to weave out of his punching range and shake up the Chinese with a flurry of right hooks.
The action was restricted to short bursts, marked by caution from both boxers for the five rounds. Zulpikar landed a blow below Vijender's belt in the sixth round and received a warning, accompanied by booing from the crowd
The Indian expressed his disappointment at the Chinese soutpaw’s approach, but kept his temper and nerves in check to survive till the final bell, back pedalling around the ring and sticking to the plan devised by his trainer, Lee Beard.
With the victory, Vijender marked his ninth straight pro bout win and his first against a Chinese.
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