I Wanted to Take Revenge vs Dusmatov: Boxer Amit on Asiad Gold

Watch boxer Amit Panghal speak to the media after winning a gold at the Asian Games.

Boxer Amit Panghal speaks to the media after winning a gold at the Asian Games.

(Photo: ANI)

Indian boxer Amit Panghal edged out reigning Olympic and continental champion Hasanboy Dusmatov of Uzbekistan in a bitterly fought final to win gold in the men's light flyweight (49 kilogram) category at the Asian Games on Saturday.

The 22-year-old earned a split decision to earn India's only boxing gold from this year's Games.

With Vikas Krishan settling for the bronze medal in the men's middleweight (75kg) division, the Indian boxing contingent will return with two medals from this edition of the Asian Games.

(For more news and updates from the Asian Games, click here.)

Amit Panghal exacted sweet revenge for the narrow loss in Hamburg, keeping his range and striking some clean right hooks and jabs to unsettle his shorter \opponent.

I had lost to him before, so I had to take revenge. Coach Santiago (Nieva) and other coaches had prepared me well. In the semi-final, I did not play the first round well, here I did not repeat that mistake.

Amit Panghal

"The coach asked me get him on counter-attack. The training in England and at the camp in India helped. I had sparred with southpaw boxers at both places. I knew how to take advantage of the upper cut," he added.

(With inputs from PTI and IANS.)