Rediff

New Delhi, Dec 12: CommentAsian champion Suranjoy Singh became the first Indian boxer to clinch a gold medal at the inter-continental President's Cup after out-punching Frenchman Nordine Oubaali 8-1 in the flyweight (51kg) final, in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Friday.

The 22-year-old Manipuri's triumph also fetched him US $3,000 at the prestigious season-ending event, where confederations from Asia, America, Africa, Europe and Oceania are pitted against each other.

Representing Asia One, Suranjoy did not allow his opponent from the Europe Two team to land a single scoring punch in the first two rounds.

Relying on his trademark left straights and cross punches, the reigning National champion opened up a 3-0 lead at the end of the opening round.

Suranjoy scored four more points in the next three minutes to go up 7-0.

The final round ended 1-1, but the huge lead from the previous two rounds was enough for the Indian to emerge triumphant.

"Nordine is a good boxer and fights very aggressively, but I pushed him on the backfoot in the very first round. I had never fought against him before but it was not that difficult to read his game once I entered the ring," an elated Suranjoy said.

"I wanted to win a gold and I have done that. I will be getting some prize-money for this, but that was always a secondary thing for me," he added.