MUMBAI NAILBITER: SINGH EDGES MAIMAITIALI
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 06 Aug 2017
MUMBAI, INDIA ? Vijender Singh of India won a hard fought razor-thin unanimous verdict over Zulipikaer Maimaitiali of China after ten grueling rounds inside a packed NSCI Stadium.
The early rounds were mostly probing and feinting. Both boxers managed to land a strong punch but never in bunches. It was a chessmatch that gave Singh, a bronze medalist in the 2008 Olympics, an early lead. Maimaitiali, a southpaw from Urumqi, targeted Singh?s body in his effort to slow down the Indian?s lateral movement.
The Chinese was warned for low blows early on by Referee Atty. Danrex Tapdasan. Singh?s jab and lateral movement made Maimaitiali miss wildly. In the sixth, Maimaitiali was deducted a point by Referee Tapdasan for repeated blows below the beltline. This would prove crucial in the final outcome of the fight.
The seventh round continued with Singh dictating the tempo with his jab and one-two combos.
Zulipikaer surged in the eighth round and bloodied Singh?s nose. The Chinese boxer continued to charge forward and had Singh reeling and on the defensive.
But more low blows from Maimaitiali slowed his momentum. Blood continued to pour from the Indian?s nose as the partisan crowd and the Bollywood celebrities at ringside were in stunned silence in the final two rounds. Singh had to scrap and clinch to hold off the rampaging Maimaitiali.
The three Thai judges? scorecards read ? Sawaeng Thaweekoon ? 96-93, Mekin Sumon ? 95-94, Surat Soikrachang ? 95-94.
The bout was supervised by WBO VP for Asia-Pacific Leon Panoncillo.
Both boxers acquitted themselves in this bout. The 31 year old Singh survived his first real test and is now 9W-0L, 7 KO?s. The 23 year old Maimaitiali suffers his first loss at 8W-1L-1D, 6 KO?s but revealed his true potential. To his credit, he silenced most of the hometown fans in the endgame.
Prior to this fight, Singh was ranked number 12 by the WBO in the super middleweight division and held the Asia-Pacific title. Maimaitiali was the WBO Oriental titlist and was ranked number 15. This win will certainly boost the Indian?s standing as a WBO contender. The WBO world champion in the 168lb division is Mexico?s Gilberto Ramirez.
Indian boxers also swept the undercards ? Neeraj Goyat retained the WBC Asia welterweight title with a lopsided unanimous win over Filipino Allan Tanada. (118-110,119-109,119-109).
Another Filipino, Larry Abarra, an expat based in Dubai, lost to Asaf Asif Khan aslo by unanimous verdict in a four round non-title bout., Dharmender beat Isaac Slade (Australia) by unanimous decision, Pardeep Kharera won by TKO after the second round over Wanpichit Siriphana (Thailand), who suffered an arm injury, Jitender Kumar stopped Thaet Likhitamporn (Thailand) in two rounds, Akhil Kumar beat Ty Gilchrist (Australia), who did not answer the bell for the third round due to pain in his right ribs. In an all-Indian affair, Kuldeep Dhanda beat Sachin Bhot by unanimous decision.
The bouts were sanctioned by the Professional Boxing Commission, Intl.
Photo ? Vijender Singh?s arm raised victorious by Referee Atty. Danrex Tapdasan.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Alex Bray Set for WBA Continental Latin American Title Clash February 20 in Orlando
Thu, 19 Feb 2026Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki Calls out Jai Opetaia
Thu, 19 Feb 2026BREAKING NEWS: DAZN AND MATCHROOM BOXING SIGN NEW FIVE-YEAR DEAL
Thu, 19 Feb 202675 climbers start trekking to Mt. Apo today
Thu, 19 Feb 20264 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Thu, 19 Feb 2026TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Dainier Pero Locked In Ahead of WBA Continental USA Title Defense in Orlando
Wed, 18 Feb 2026A Milestone Birthday: Celebrating Brico Santig's 50 Years of Dedication, and Triumph
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 18 Feb 2026PH bet Chezka Centeno finishes 2nd in Florida
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 18 Feb 2026ARNOLD BARBOZA JR. AND KENNETH SIMS JR. SET FOR HIGH-STAKES CLASH IN CAN’T-MISS MAIN EVENT ON DAZN
Wed, 18 Feb 2026CALLUM SMITH VS DAVID MORRELL MEGA FIGHT SET FOR APRIL 18 IN LIVERPOOL AS PAT BROWN HEADLINES IN HIS HOMETOWN ON APRIL 3
Wed, 18 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Youth High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
Wed, 18 Feb 2026Rapid chessfest gets underway February 22
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 18 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 16 FEBRUARY 2026: Ajagba, Dzambekov, Ruiz Register Stoppage Wins in Zuffa Event
By Eric Armit, Tue, 17 Feb 2026Mexican government and WBC join forces to create mega-project “Boxing for Peace”
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 17 Feb 2026All eyes on GM Johan-Sebastian Christiansen in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 17 Feb 2026