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Indian star boxer Vijender Singh met Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Sarbananda Sonowal at his home. The latter congratulated Vijender on a successful start to his professional career and the two also deliberated over the progress of professional boxing in India.
Vijender had this to say after the meeting:”I thanked the Minister for his continuous support in my professional career. He assured me full support in my future fights as well.” According to the Indian Express, Sonowal gave Vijender his word that he would aid him in his effort to popularise professional boxing in India.
Said Vijender on the issue, “I also discussed with him about the plans of developing professional boxing in India. I am happy that Mr. Sonowal gave a very positive response for the development of pro boxing in our country.”
Vijender showed his dedication to the cause, saying, “I believe that some boxers who are done with their amateur career should now come forward and join professional boxing, it’s good for their future. I am ready to support them.”
From the perspective of next year’s Olympics, Vijender said that Sonowal has assured him that he will extend all necessary support to the country’s amateur boxers in their preparation for the mega event in Rio De Janeiro. Said Vijender,”I have expressed my concern to the minister on the future of amateur boxing in India and he told me that his ministry is taking all necessary steps to support amateur boxers preparing for the Rio Olympics.”
Vijender, who won India’s first Olympic boxing medal in 2008, turned professional in September this year. His debut fight against Sonny Whiting on October 10th ended in a second-round Technical Knockout. Critics of his lax defense in the first fight were silenced as Vijender was almost flawless in his second fight, a first round Technical Knockout of Dean Gillen.
Vijender will fight for a third time on December 19th , against a yet-to-be-named opponent.
