The last time Vijender Singh met Attoev Abbos, he defeated the 2007 world light heavyweight champion 10-7 on his way to a bronze medal at the Asian Boxing Championship in May this year. On Friday night, however, the Uzbek exacted his revenge, beating the top-seeded Indian 7-3 in the 75kg category semi-final of the World Boxing Championships in Milan.

Vijender, who was already assured of a medal, started strongly, taking a 1-0 lead in the first round. However, Abbos took him by surprise with a flurry of punches in the second, scoring five points without conceding any.

“I’m disappointed with the loss. I didn’t want to settle for a bronze this time but I guess this was my destiny,” Vijender said from Milan. “I had defeated him at the Asian Championship and that win was special for me, since I was making a comeback at that time. But I could not capitalise on the lead in the opening round. His defence was solid and he kept attacking after the first round.”

Vijender opted for an all-out attack in the final round, but the effort went in vain as Abbos was solid in his defence. “I was keen on scoring in the second round but I was completely outplayed. Four points is not much of a difference and I tried coming back but he was more defensive in the final round. But I’m happy to break India’s medal jinx at the worlds,” Vijender added.