Indian boxers' stupendous success in recent times seems to have caught the eye of none other than five-time world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield
Indian boxers' stupendous success in recent times seems to have caught the eye of none other than five-time world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield.
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| Eye on India: Evander Holyfield |
The year 2010 has been a historic one for Indian boxing. With a hat-trick of gold medals and four bronze, it was the best-ever Commonwealth Games show for India'su00a0 pugilists in New Delhi in October. Their stunning run continued in the Guangzhou Asian Games, where World No 1 Middleweight boxer Vijender Singh delivered the knock-out punch to give Indian boxing it's second gold medal. The Indian boxing contingent finished with nine medals overall that included three silver and four bronze.
However, Holyfield believes Indian boxers are ready to be world-beaters. And the legendary US-based fighter is all set to establish this through the Evander Holyfield Boxing Academy, which will be incorporated within the Evander Holyfield Gym and Lifestyle fitness centres, across India.u00a0
"I want to help create world-class boxers in India with the expertise and knowledge that has helped me be world champion. I want to be an example for Indian boxers and help them achieve their dream of becoming a world champion," Holyfield told MiD DAY in an email interview.
"A lot of Indian boxers are doing well on the world stage. It would be great to bring out the best of Indian boxing, so that the people of India can experience the thrill of the sport. The key to popularise boxing in India, is the emergence of homegrown heroes," added Holyfield (48), who recently announced yet another comeback into the ring.
Holyfield, best remembered for his 'Bite Fight' with Mike Tyson in 1997, has tied up with Delhi-based Sanghvi Brands and his first chain of fitness centres is to be launched in April-May 2011.
"A big reason why Evander is excited about this partnership in India is because he feels through his gyms and boxing academies he will be able to make a difference in boxing in India. We have plans to arrange Evander' interaction with upcoming Indian boxers," said Darpan Sanghvi, managing director of Sanghvi Brands.
