03 August,2017 01:24 PM IST | Mumbai | Ashwin Ferro
India's star boxer says he's ready to fight the full 10 rounds if needed rather than go in for the kill early against a younger, quicker but inexperienced Chinese Zulpikar Maimaitiali on Saturday
India boxer Vijender Singh (left) sweats it out with his trainer Lee Beard during a training session in Juhu yesterday. Pic/Pradeep Dhivar
India boxer Vijender Singh (left) sweats it out with his trainer Lee Beard during a training session in Juhu yesterday. Pic/Pradeep Dhivar
It's not just wise men who say that fools rush in, good boxers do too. India's star boxer Vijender Singh is planning to counter this very aspect as he attempts to overpower China's Zulpikar Maimaitiali in Battleground Asia at the NSCI Dome in Worli on Saturday.
"Zulpikar is young, he's a kid. I don't consider him experienced at all. Sure, he may be quicker; has good stamina too, but his youth and inexperience will see him rush into the fight in the early rounds and that's what I plan to capitalise on to knock him out. At the same time, I'm ready to grind it out for the full 10 rounds, if needed.
"I've been training for 12 rounds regularly," WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight champion Vijender, 31, told mid-day after a 20-minute gym session with trainer Lee Beard in Juhu yesterday.
Zulpikar Maimaitiali
WBO Oriental Super Middleweight champion, Maimaitiali, is just 23, and the youngest professional boxing rival Vijender has faced across his eight bouts so far. And though the Indian exhibits a calm exterior while talking down Zulpikar's chances over the weekend - talking up the Indo-China border tension and all - the intense discussions with trainer Beard yesterday tell a different tale. Beard kept explaining to the Indian how he needs to use his left arm to good effect to keep his opponent at a distance at all times.
"As a trainer, I never advise my fighters to go in (for the kill) early. I always want them to begin slowly, take it easy, size up the opponent and then go in. Vijender does exactly that," said Beard, going on to explain, on the other hand, why it can be tricky if the opponent comes at you early.
"While it's not wise to rush in early, it can be very unpredictable if your opponent does so. For this reason, I've had Vijender spar with a young, quick boxer back in Manchester. This sparring partner was young and quick to get out of the blocks, but Vijender smartly controlled things. That's what I've advised him to do on Saturday too. And with his experience, Vijender should be just fine," Beard said.
