The legend of Vijender Singh continued to grow as the Indian boxing star out slugged his Chinese opponent Zulpikar Maimaitiali in a close bout to retain the WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight title in Mumbai on Saturday. It was double delight for the fans as Singh also snatched the WBO Oriental Super Middleweight title from the Chinese, who is nine years younger to him. It was the 32-year-old Beijing Olympic bronze medalist's ninth successive win in his professional career. (livemint.com)

However, to everyone's surprise, Vijender made a unique request and announced that he wished to return his newly acquired belt so as to alleviate the tension across the Indo-China border. “I want to dedicate this win to India-China friendship! There is some tension at the border, need peace. I don’t want the title, for peace and harmony at the border between India-China I will give it back to Maimaitial,” he said.

https://youtu.be/NiaotdGvBQM

Tweet by Kiran Mazumdar Shaw: 'Don't Want Border Tension': Vijender Beats China Rival, Offers Belt Back - I salute him for his noble patriotism https://t.co/LM2MG63BtZ - on Sun Aug 06 08:15:16

Tweet by The Independent: Indian boxer beats Chinese rival then gives back belt in bid to ease 'tension' between two nations https://t.co/mORNEysLh7 - on Sun Aug 06 09:28:39

Vijender Singh had won his ninth bout in the professional boxing ring when he beat Zulpikar Maimaitiali of China in a unanimous decision at the NSCI Complex in Worli, Mumbai. With the win, Vijender now holds both the WBO Oriental Super Middleweight and the WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight title, which he already held, but his decision to hand the title back is a rare request which would be up to the officials. (indianexpress.com)

Tweet by India in Malaysia: RT @toisports: #BattleGroundAsia What a fight! @boxervijender is now a double title holder. Congrats! https://t.co/Z5MJFJopDx - on Sun Aug 06 07:12:08

The Indian boxer won an extremely close bout that was adjudged 96-93, 95-94 and 95-94 by the three judges that stretched his unbeaten streak to 9-0 even though Vijender would feel lucky to have come out with a win. (indianexpress.com)

The Chinese paw was however guilty of trying to hit Singh below the belt with as many as five low blows for which he was promptly warned by the referee. The only round when Maimaitiali looked a bit assertive was the third one when he tried to chase the Indian, who again showed his fleet-footedness to evade his punches on more than one occasions. A frustrated Maimaitiali, in fact, pushed Singh to the ground, a favour that the Indian duly returned in the very next round. (livemint.com)