Mwelase ups SA's gold tally
2006-03-25 13:11
Melbourne - Bongani Mwelase claimed South Africa's only boxing gold medal at the Commonwealth Games with a spirited points victory over India's Vijender in the welterweight class Saturday.
Mwelase slugged it out with Vijender to seal a 33-26 points decision.
The hard-hitting South African broke away in the second round and controlled the fight over the closing three rounds.
He put a standing eight-count on Vijender halfway through the third round.
"It feels good to win a gold for your country. I kept punching with my left to keep him away because I knew I was ahead on points," Mwelase said.
When asked about competing at the Beijing Olympics, he said: "Whatever is put on the table I'm ready to take it and eat it like everyone else.
"I will stay on as an amateur until Beijing maybe, but I'll see how things go."
Vijender's defeat gave India one win from three finals at the Games.
"Cricket is the lord of sport in my country and very few people are into boxing," Vijender said.
"This is good for boxing. Maybe there's some money for me now, but I want to hang on for the Beijing Olympics and the Delhi Commonwealth Games."
- AFP