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Pakistan boxer gets revenge on home country England

October 10, 2010 15:47 IST

For Pakistan's boxer Haroon Iqbal it is more about proving a point than winning, at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. 

Iqbal opted to represent Pakistan at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi after he was controversially not picked in the England boxing squad.

Following his thrilling victory over Andrew Selby of Wales in the men's flyweight 52-kg boxing bout, he was quick to point out that his victory proves the England selectors were wrong in snubbing him.

"I just wanted to go there and prove everyone wrong and I have done that," Iqbal said.

Even his opponent Selby had claimed that Iqbal did not deserve a spot in the England team for the Delhi Games.

But it was Iqbal, who ended up with the last laugh. "He didn't really put pressure on me."

Iqbal also revealed how his elder brother and WBA welterweight champion England's Amir Khan had inspired him ahead of his semi-final match.

"He tweeted and its great the support he's given me, all the way from the Philippines. He said 'don't rush in, pace yourself; this is a big thing for you'. I took his advice and it worked," the boxer said.

The Pakistani athletes have been getting a good reception from the Indian fans since their arrival and it was no different for Iqbal.

"The Indian crowd was unbelievable. I knew when they cheered it was a point for me. It did take a lot of pressure off me," he said.

Harish Kotian in New Delhi