Undefeated Vijender Singh survives Kerry Hope test to win WBO Asia Pacific title

New Delhi: Undefeated Vijender Singh on Saturday became the first Indian boxer to hold a World Boxing Organisation (WBO) sanctioned belt after knocking out Australian opponent Kerry Hope in their Asia Pacific super middleweight title bout at Thyagraj Sports Complex, New Delhi.

The history making bout witnessed an unprecedented crowd, involving sporting icons, B-town celebrities and politicians. But most importantly, the WBO fight night helped boxing gained new foothold in India.

The win ensured Vijender's entry into the top-15 of the WBO world ranking, and giving himself a realistic chance to have a go at world tittle fight.

Last time Indian sensation fought in front of his home crowd was during the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games, wherein won a bronze then in the middleweight category.

Unlike Vijender's previous professional bouts, the fight at Thyagraj lasted 10-rounds with both boxers not giving an inch to each other. But the final result, with three judges unanimously giving the nod to the India boxer, it proved a day of reckoning for Indian professional boxing.

The three judges ruled 98-92, 98-92 and 100-90 in favour of the Indian.

The fight night also witnessed six undercard bouts, featuring boxers from Indian Boxing Council's stable and two Thai invites, and a special fight between two boxers from Mary Kom Academy.