Indian professional boxer Vijender Singh has expressed willingness to take up celebrated British-Pakistani pugilist Amir Khan’s proposition of a match in India soon. The 30-year old believes that a match between the two will put India on the pro-boxing map.
During a press interaction, he said, “I definitely want to fight Amir Khan, as he is a very good boxer and that a fight between us in India, will boost the country’s chances of accepting pro-boxing quicker.”
However, Vijender believes it will take him at least one year, to prepare for the Amir fight. Also, both the boxers belong to different weight categories, Amir is a middleweight (72.5 kg) and Vijender is a Super Middleweight (76 kg). He added, “One of us has to lose or gain weight in order to be able to fight each other. The fight will garner the right international attention for Indian boxing.”
Vijender is all set to fight Matiouze Royer in Copper Arena on April 30. The Indian has four bouts under his record, whereas Amir has 34. The latter has won 31 of his matches, 19 via knockout. Nick-named ‘the King,’ Amir has held both the welterweight and middleweight titles on multiple occasions.
Neerav Tomar, CEO of IOS Boxing Promotions confirmed the possibility of this match. He told PTI, “Of course a fight is definitely possible but may be next year or 2018. Either Amir has to gain weight or Vijender needs to lose some. For Amir with his body structure I am not sure whether he can. Ditto Vijender. Thus, it is very much possible, but the technicalities exist.”
Vijender added, “It will take me one year at least to reach that kind of experience. However, I am definitely looking forward to it. Let’s hope by 2018 we can see this happen.”
