Mary Kom, the perennial crowd-puller

Indian pugilist MC Mary Kom

Five-time world boxing champion and Olympic bronze medal-winning boxer MC Mary Kom may have failed to make it to the Rio Olympics, but she remains a crowd favourite nevertheless.

Indian pugilist MC Mary Kom

Yesterday, when she stepped into the ring as a guest along with India cricketer Suresh Raina, the boxing champion drew a louder cheer from the packed Thyagaraj Sports Complex crowd
than Raina.

"Thank you for cheering boxing. The popularity of boxing is rising only because of you dear fans," she said even as the crowd cheered while she spoke.

And as for not being able to qualify for Rio, the humble Manipuri issued a public apology quite literally.

"India will be sending its largest ever contingent to the Olympics in Rio and I wish each and every athlete the best of luck.

"Unfortunately I could not make it to Rio and I'm sorry for not being able to do so," she said, once again drawing a huge cheer from the crowd.

Drought during title bout
IOS Promotions and Queensberry Promotions, the organisers of yesterday's Vijender Singh against Kerry Hope World Boxing Organisation WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight championship event at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex here left a lot to be desired for both fans and media.

While the public toilets at the first floor did not have flowing water raising quite a stink, the media contingent ringside was also left thirsty throughout the five-hour fight night, while the organisers were busy catering to the whims and fancies of the VIP guests comprising politicians, sportsmen and Bollywood actors. The sense of humour of the mediamen present there, however wasn't lost, with one saying: "In the ring, it's a title bout and outside, it's an unfortunate drought."

Modi wave sweeps Thyagaraj Stadium India Prime Minister Narendra Modi may not have been present in person for yesterday's fight night at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex, but the presence of his rival party leader, Rahul Gandhi, prompted the crowd to yell "Modi, Modi".

Rahul, dressed in a casual grey t-shirt and jeans walked passed the railings leading to ringside, waving and shaking hands with fans, but within minutes the cheers turned to jeers of "boo, boo" and "Modi, Modi" leaving the Congress leader to quietly walk up to his seat, where he remained put for the remainder of the evening.