Battleground Asia: Vijender Singh vs Zulpikar Maimaitiali - As it happened...

New Delhi: The Indian boxer Vijender Singh emerged victorious by unanimous decision against China's Zulpikar Maimaitiali in a fight that was very fiercely contested.

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Vijender wins by a really close unanimous decision. That was a really close fight.

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Round 10: Vijender looked gassed out once again and struggling to get his usual accuracy. The Chinese looks like the winner but will the deducted point come back to haunt him?

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Round 9: Another low blow by Zulpikar, and later, the Chinese landed a heavy punch, making Vijender's nose bleed. Vijender seems to be struggling, and this round might just cost him the title.

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Round 8: An even encounter, all-in-all! Vijender's punches are looking heavier but he hasn't looked vulnerable defensively. Some clean hits exchanged by both boxers subsequently. Just two more rounds left.

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Round 7: Zulpikar connects a good one and Vijender does seem a little gassed out. The Indian boxer is breathing heaviliy on certain occasions, while the Chinese has continued to show good energy in his attacks.

.@boxervijender throwing some hard punches at the Chinese boxer! pic.twitter.com/pZkhKZVDJb — IOS Boxing (@IOSBoxing) August 5, 2017

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Round 6: Vijender playing the whole round enticing Zulpikar to go all-our attack. A little tumble by the Indian in the middle was seen but it wasn't because of a punch.

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Round 5: The Southpaw Zulpikar seems to have got a few good hits under his belt, while Vijender has been defending during most parts of the round.

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Round 4: Vijender seems to have made a good solid contact, but it has again been a pretty even battle. Zulpikar also made a comeback with a clean hit later. Vijender takes round 4 following a low blow by the Chinese opponent.

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Round 3: Still a cagey encounter. Other than a few moments where both looked to go full swing, not many clear contacts made.

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Round 2: A couple of really clean hits by Vijender but Zulpikar seems unfazed by the knocks. Good aggressive boxing in the seond round.

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Round 1: Vijender on defense to begin with, as the Chinese opponents looks to find a way in. It has been very similar to the Kerry Hope fight and there have been a few clean hits exchanged.

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21:30 IST: There will be 10 rounds in this bout. Round 1 to begin shortly!

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21:24 IST: Zulpikar Maimaitiali walks into the ring.

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21:15 IST: Bollywood celebrities continue to walk in as Vijender prepares to take on  Zulpikar to get his hands on twin titles.

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21:00 IST: It's time for the main even! Vijender Singh takes on Zulpikar Maimaitiali. Bout to begin shortly.

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20:53 IST: 

.@GoyatNeeraj defends his WBC Asia Welterweight title against the Filipino giant! #BattleGroundAsia pic.twitter.com/HQap5BjFhr — IOS Boxing (@IOSBoxing) August 5, 2017

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20: 48 IST: Goyat thinks he has won. What a final round it was. We await official results now! It's Goyat who is crowned the champion by unanimous decision.

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20:36 IST: Neeraj Goyat with a few impressive punches in round 9. Just 2 more rounds to go before we find out the result.

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20:30 IST:  Fewer punches being exchanged as the boxers seem tired. Round 8 underway!

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20:17 IST: Allan Tanada of Philippines remained aggressive as the crowd is witnessing an enthralling battle. Round 5 underway!

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20:10 IST: Neeraj Goyat starts to attack after spending the last 2 rounds defending.

The champ, @GoyatNeeraj is hitting it hard! #BattleGroundAsia pic.twitter.com/E43yusyD6E — IOS Boxing (@IOSBoxing) August 5, 2017

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19:53 IST: Randeep Hooda wishes Indian boxers well for their respective bouts.

Heading to watch #BattleGroundAsia Bohra at #Nscui in Mumbai.. kick ass wala #AllTheBest to @boxervijender @Akhilkumarboxer @imboxerjitender pic.twitter.com/ja9rG0nc8J — Randeep Hooda (@RandeepHooda) August 5, 2017

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19:51 IST: In the next bout, India’s Neeraj Goyat will look to defend his WBC Asia Pacific welterweight title against Phillippines’ Allan Tanada. It will be a 12-round fight.

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19:43 IST: Pradeep registers win on his pro-debut.

Crowd favourite @Akhilkumarboxer makes his debut a memorable one as he wins the Junior Welterweight category! #BattleGroundAsia pic.twitter.com/mLRuujWtXs — IOS Boxing (@IOSBoxing) August 5, 2017

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19:38 IST: Akhil awarded the win as Gilchrist backs out after three rounds. Another technical superiority win for the Indians.

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19:24 IST: Next up is Akhil Kumar against the Australian Ty Gilchrist. Akhil is also making his pro debut tonight.

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19:16 IST: Truly a complete performance.

That was a complete performance from @imboxerjitender at #BattleGroundAsia! pic.twitter.com/vzWHWhNyfv — IOS Boxing (@IOSBoxing) August 5, 2017

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19:08 IST: Jitender Kumar wins his pro debut easily.

.@imboxerjitender is too good for the Thai boxer as the Indian emerges victorious in the Lightweight category! #BattleGroundAsia pic.twitter.com/eEKYMscRiP — IOS Boxing (@IOSBoxing) August 5, 2017

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18:55 IST: Next up is the fight between India Jitender Kumar and Thanet Likhitkamporn of Thailand in Lightweight category. It's Jitender's debut as a pro boxer.

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18:47 IST: Pradeep Kharera wins his bout by technical knock-out.

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18:45 IST: Here's Pradeep Kharera in action:

.@PardeepKharera battling it out! pic.twitter.com/h9K4bXvMbO — IOS Boxing (@IOSBoxing) August 5, 2017

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18:41 IST: India's 21-year-old Pardeep Kharera vs Wanphichit Siriphana of Thailand in a six-round welterweight category contest. Live now!

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18:25 IST: Fight number three underway!

.@Dharam_Grewal1 wins the fight number ! The Indian wins the Cruiserweight category.  #BattleGroundAsia pic.twitter.com/kmX7gFKweB — IOS Boxing (@IOSBoxing) August 5, 2017

In the evening’s first bout, India’s Asad Asif defeated Larry Abbara of Philippines. In 2nd, Kuldeep Dhanda defeated Sachin Bhot. Dharmender Grewal then went on to beat Isaac Slade in third.

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India's Olympic bronze medallist-turned professional boxer Vijender Singh will take on undefeated Chinese boxer Zulpikar Maimaitiali in a winner-takes-all bout on 5 August in Mumbai.

While Vijender puts his WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight title, his opponent puts his WBO Oriental Super Middleweight title on stake. 

This fight will be Vijender's first of 2017, he has not competed since successfully defending his title against Francis Cheka in December 2016.

With Vijender Singh repeatedly challenging Pakistan's Amir Khan, a positive result in this match might be a shot in the arm for the Indian to pressurise Amir to accept his challenge.

However, for now, it is time for "Battleground Asia", where two champion boxers will give it all against each other.

When and where will the Vijender Singh-Zulpikar Maimaitiali bout take place?

Vijender will fight Zulpikar on 5 August at the The National Sports Club Of India  (NSCI) in Mumbai.

How to watch the fight live?

The fight will be broadcast live on television on Sony Ten 1.

When will live coverage of the fight start?

The live broadcast of the fight will start at 7 pm IST.

Live streaming?

The match will be streamed online on www.sonyliv.com