Lowestoft's Anthony Ogogo controversially eliminated the 'Indian David Beckham' to reach the Commonwealth final – and then claimed he has no problem being public enemy No 1 in Delhi.

Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh was overwhelming favourite in the middleweight contest, particularly with the backing of a partisan crowd, and seemed to have one foot in the final when he went 3-0 up in the third round.

But referee Michael Summers had repeatedly warned the World No 1 about his rough-house tactics and he was docked two points for pushing Ogogo down by the back of the neck. A second deduction followed for holding with just 12 seconds to go to enrage the packed crowd who did not take kindly to Ogogo blowing kisses to them afterwards.

But Ogogo, who boxes for the Triple A club, could not be happier being the target for the boo boys if it means he returns to East Anglia with gold around his neck: 'I thrive under pressure,' he said.

'Boxing is one of the most pressure sports so in that environment I thrive.

'No disrespect to the Indian crowd. They have shown me and the England team nothing but hospitality and I want to thank them for that. I was not taking the mick or anything, I was just waving and blowing kisses to show my appreciation to them.'

The manner of Singh's defeat led to an immediate protest by the Indian Boxing Federation which was quickly thrown out by the Games jury.

Confirmation of Ogogo's victory meant all five English fighters in semi-final action – Ogogo, Bradley Saunders, Tom Stalker, Callum Smith and Simon Vallily – advanced to the finals tomorrow.

Ogogo had said from the start of this tournament he would relish a showdown with Singh and he rose to the challenge, magnificently repelling the Indian's slick advances to more than hold his own.

It was not what the capacity crowd nor the legions of Indian media had come to see, and while Ogogo infuriated the hosts by bouncing round the ring, some members of the local press came close to brawling when Singh avoided the mixed zone.

Ogogo insisted: 'I said I wanted to fight him and I fought him and toppled him. He was doing illegal things. He'd seen my strengths and he did what he did to try to nullify them, and it wasn't allowed.

'What he was doing was foul play and he got penalised for it. Plenty of my right hands were getting through, a couple of short hooks, but they were not on the scoreboard.

'I would have rather won outright without the added points but now I want to bring the gold medal back.'