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Call him arrogant if you like, but he doesn't care. Because India's No1 boxer Akhil Kumar has just punched out World Champion Russian Sergey Vodopyanov and claimed he was expecting to do it.
"The way I was shaping up before the fight, I knew I could get him," Akhil said after his four-round bout that ended 9-9 and was later declared winner after the panel of five judges did a technical evaluation of the bout.
The 27-year-old pugilist from Bhiwani, Haryana, came into the 54 kg Bantamweight pre-quarter-final bout riding on a 12-5 hammering of World No 3 Ali Hallab of France.
However, last night's fight was by no means easy. For the 20-odd Indian fans at the Worker Gymnasium here (Indian journos included), the win is nothing short of a miracle. Not only did Vodopyanov look the more confident of the two, his quick moves made him the hot favourite right from the ring of the first bell.
The Russian took Point No 1 with a classy right blow on Akhil's face. The Indian retaliated and got a point but gave away another to lose the first round 1-2.
The second round too saw the champion dominate and when the score reached 6-2, it looked all over for the Indian.
But to everyone's surprise a couple of left hooks and one power-packed right hand across Vodopyanov's face suddenly brought the score to 6-6 and it started to look good for Akhil.
Round Two also went to the Russian 4-3 but Akhil took Rounds Three and Four 3-2 and 2-1 respectively to tie the match.
There was pin-drop silence thereafter as the judges tallied their individual points to decide the winner. And moments later South African referee Johan Barnard lifted Akhil's hand to signal victory even as the world champ reacted in shock, leaving the venue with his head buried inside his towel.
Akhil though was on seventh heaven. He came out hugging anyone and everyone, almost scaring a female Chinese volunteer, who came in his way. "Ab toh gold hi hoga (now it will be gold only," he announced in front of the waiting media.
However, five minutes later when the blood rush in his veins settled, he added, "Kuch kami rahi toh phir silver ya bronze ho sakta hai. Lekin medal toh pukka hai (if I fall short then it will be silver or bronze but a medal is confirmed).
Best show
After a Round One exit in Athens, this is Akhil's best show at the quadrennial event. And the cherry on top of the cake will be if he wins the quarter-final against Republic of Moldova's Gojan Veaceslav on Monday. That will assure India at least a bronze medal because the losing semi-finalists are awarded medals without a play-off.
However, this is not to take away anything from the star fighter who certainly has it in him to go all the way and steal Abhinav Bindra's thunder.
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