Date:10/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/10/stories/2008081056211700.htm

Sport

A sad end

Beijing: A Samoan boxer had to be taken away from the Olympic ring on a stretcher after getting knocked out in his first bout on Saturday.

Farani Tavui was repeatedly hit with a series of hard punches by Marijo Sivolija-Jelica of Croatia.A big right hand eventually staggered Tavui, who wobbled the length of the ring before finally flopping to the canvas.

Tavui stood as the referee counted, but staggered another distance before falling again. Although he seemed able to raise and move his head as the ringside doctor called for a stretcher, Tavui was taken away four minutes later.

“I don’t enjoy such injuries, because it can always happen to me,” Sivolija-Jelica said. “I am not cruel. I am an emotional boxer. I’m not pleased.” — AP