Olympics: Devendro's medal hopes end after loss to Barnes

London: Indian boxer Laishram Devendro Singh narrowly missed out on a medal at the London Olympics Wednesday, putting up a brave fight against Irishman Paddy Barnes in the quarterfinals of the 49 kg category.

Devendro's 18-23 loss to the Beijing Games bronze medallist ended India's boxing campaign in the mega event.

It was a ferocious start to the bout with both boxers trading punches. The boxing on display enthralled the crowd. Barnes got off the block quickly connecting with a great combination.

The diminutive Indian boxer lost 23-18 to bow out of the 51kg quarter-finals.

Devendro though stood his ground and connected with some of his own stinging blows but he narrowly went down 5-7 in the first round.

The second round started in similar fashion with a flurry of punches from both fighters. There was no respite for either of them.

The turning point for the 20-year-old Indian came in the middle of the second round as he was a given a warning, a two-point penalty, for using his head to push his opponent back.

The penalty swayed the result in the Irisihman's favour as he took the round 10-5.

Seven points down Devendro came out swinging but left himself open to Barnes attacks. The Irishman, who won gold at the Commonwealth in Delhi, employed clever and defensive tactics, holding the Indian whenever he got close.

He was finally pulled up for his actions as the referee warned him as well, docking two points. The decision gave Devendro a sniff of a chance but a right hook towards the end of the bout sent him reeling and took the stuffing out of him.

Just as the Indian seemed to shake off the punch the bell rang to signal the end of the bout. The Indian took the final round 8-6 but that didn't prove to be enough.

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