press trust of india
Manchester, Oct 9: Lot of surprise, some skepticism and a few brickbats followed when pugilist Vijender Singh announced his decision to quit amateur boxing. However, the Olympic medallist will forget everything when he enters the ring Saturday for his first pro fight against British Sonny Whiting and look for a winning start.
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. He faces 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.
Despite the verbal provocations, Vijender has remained his usual composed self and has promised to answer every threat with his punches in the ring.
“I am totally focussed and waiting for the right moment to reply in the ring. I am not at all bothered by his comments. I will reply with my punches,” Vijender told reporters on the eve of his bout.
Vijender 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 hype.
The Haryana-lad would be walking in to a couple of thumping Punjabi songs – Singh is King’ and ‘Singh is Bling’ – and would look to make sure that the music keep playing at the end of the four rounds that he will fight Saturday.
“I am looking forward to a winning start. I am not under any pressure, I am taking this as a responsibility. My performance in professional boxing will open new hopes for young Indian boxers,” stated Vijender. “I am eagerly waiting to enter the ring against Sonny. My strategy is to go in and hit very hard from the outset,” he added.
Whiting, who has a knockout victory to his credit, has virtually derided Vijender’s amateur record and has vowed to give him a very rude welcome to the pro arena.
“I’m a proud fighter who will go in there and give it everything I’ve got,” said Whiting. “He’s making his debut and I’ll give him a hard welcome to the professional game. What he’s done as an amateur doesn’t count, he’s now with the big boys in the pros.”