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Tonight is the night that the star pugilist from India, Vijender Singh puts on his boxing gloves for a new beginning, when he takes on England's Sonny Whiting in his first professional boxing bout tonight in Manchester, United Kingdom.
He was showered with a lot of skepticism and a few brickbats followed his decision to quit amateur boxing. The Olympic bronze medallist will look to live up to the unparalleled hype when he makes his much-awaited professional debut today and attempts to silence his critics.
“I am all set for the bout”: Vijender Singh
The 29-year-old, who scripted history as an amateur by becoming India's first Olympic and World Championships medallist, is all set to begin a new chapter in his illustrious boxing career. Having fought in Indian colours for many years, he decided to move on and embrace the professional circuit.
"I am all set for the bout", Vijender told IBNLive from London. "I have really worked hard. I know how I have practiced from the last two months. It is altogether a different experience. New coaches, new trainers, new people and, of course, a new place. Everything is new to me.”
The strapping six-footer reached London a month before his professional debut, training hard for a gruelling battle – far more laborious than the amateur ring he has entered until now. In his debut middleweight pro bout, he will be facing a cocky opponent in Whiting, who has promised to put him "through hell." The 26-year-old from Rochester is three-bouts old in the circuit and has a 2-1 win-loss record.
Vijender will let his boxing do the talking
Vijender not only has had to acclimatise to conditions but also get accustomed to different rules and regulations of pro-boxing which can be completely exhausting, especially in the maiden fight. Scheduled to walk in to the song 'Singh is King' on Saturday, he is ready for whatever his rival brings to the ring on Saturday night.
He is totally focused and waiting for the right moment to reply in the ring. He claimed that he was not bothered by Whiting’s comments and would choose to reply only with his punches. "I had to adjust with everything and at the same time, I had to focus on my aim also. I have been hit by many punches by boxers during the training sessions and hit back at them too. It was my dream to reach here and before my first professional bout, I just want to say I am ready to get into the ring."
The boxer, who signed up with Queensberry Promotions in July, is not the first Indian to enter the professional arena with the likes of Gurcharan Singh and Pradeep Sihag having been a regular in the circuit earlier. However, never before has an Indian boxer's professional debut generated this kind of frenzy.
This can largely be attributed to his equally unprecedented success as an amateur boxer winning Olympic bronze, a highlight of which was becoming the world number one in middleweight at one stage. "Training is done. India is with me. My country is with me. My countrymen’s prayers are with me. Bas jana hai aur Fatte Chak dene hain ab toh (just want to go and give my best) and rest will be left to god. Win and loss are the part of the game," Vijender said.
Singh’s first fight will feature four rounds of three minutes each. He is training under renowned trainer Lee Beard, who is mighty impressed with the Indian's technical knowledge and power.
Where and when to watch
Vijender also recalled the moment when he won medals for his country, how Indian fans cheered and welcomed him after the champion arrived in Delhi. The Haryana boxer said he will miss that cheer and atmosphere during the pro bout. "I know I am fighting away. I still remember the cheer and greet from the crowd when I won the Olympics medal. I am away from my country. There are Indians here but not in that number. I will miss that cheer.”
The bout will be aired live in India on Sony Six at 10:25 pm tonight. Several coaches and fans have wished the pugilist. Bollywood super star Salman Khan and a host of India's sports stars tweeted their best wishes for the Haryana fighter.
