Vijender Singh beats Malaysia's Mohammad Harun in Commonwealth meet

Olympic bronze medalist, boxer Vijender Singh beat Malaysia's rising boxer Mohammad Farhan Harun at the opening of the 5th Commonwealth Boxing Championships in New Delhi.

Singh defeated Harun in the middleweight 75kg category to ensure himself of at least a bronze.

"No bout is easy, there's always pressure ahead of the bout, which in a way is good. It was exciting but I had conversation with Dinesh (an Indian boxer) who had played against him earlier. Dinesh guided me, whose experience helped me," said Singh after the victory.

Apart from Singh, two other Indians, - Asian champion Suranjoy Singh (52kg) and World Cup bronze medallist Dinesh Kumar (81kg) also advanced to the semifinals.

"Our aim is the Commonwealth Games, I am confident that India would be at Number One spot in the ongoing championships. Our boxers will win most medals in the Commonwealth Games slated for October," said Abhay Singh Chautala, President, Indian Boxing Federation.

130 boxers from 14 countries including England, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Kenya and Singapore are participating in the championships, which conclude on March 17.