Commonwealth Games gold medallist boxer Manoj Kumar today lashed out at Kapil Dev, saying the Arjuna Award is a "fitting reply" from him to the former India cricket captain, who had earlier refused to recognise the pugilist.

"Today I can tell Kapil Dev that I am Manoj Kumar, who had won the gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, and now I have got the Arjuna award," Manoj told reporters after being belatedly bestowed with the prestigious honour by the Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal at his Shastri Bhawan office.

"I have today given a fitting reply to Kapil Dev," he added.

Manoj was earlier denied the award by the Kapil Dev-led selection committee even as another boxer Jai Bhagwan was recommended for the coveted honour. According to the boxer, Kapil had cut the phone when he wanted to convey his grievances, asking who he was.