By IANS,
New Delhi : Indian boxer Rahul Poonia lost 6:13 to England’s Jack Bateson in the finals of the 49 kg category to settle for a silver at the Youth Commonwealth Games in the Isle of Man here Sunday.
Poonia, the Cuban Youth Olympics gold medallist, was the lone Indian to have made it to the finals of the Games. He registered an easy victory over Nyiko Ndukula of South Africa to set up a summit clash with the English boxer.
Bateson, a quarterfinalist at the European Youth Championship, made an aggressive start, not giving Poonia many chances to score, but the Indian pugilist managed throw in a few straight punches to open his account. As the bout progressed, Poonia seemed out of sorts against the feisty offence of his opponent. He tried hard to gain the advantage but failed to connect. Bateson, on the other hand, kept increasing the margin with his decisive body blows and short jabs.
Earlier in the tournament, Youth National Champion Surender Singh (75kg) had to settle for a bronze medal finish after losing in the semifinals.
India ended the boxing event of the Youth Games with a silver and a bronze.