05 August,2017 04:20 PM IST | Mumbai | Ashwin Ferro
India's most intelligent boxer Vijender holds edge over China's muscular Zulpikar in today's double title fight
China's Zulpikar Maimaitiali (left) and India's Vijender Singh during the official weigh in at NSCI in Worli yesterday. Pic/Pradeep Divar
China's Zulpikar Maimaitiali (left) and India's Vijender Singh during the official weigh in at NSCI in Worli yesterday. Pic/Pradeep Divar
As Vijender Singh, 31, India's most intelligent boxer, gets ready to take on China's power-puncher Zulpikar Maimaitiali, 23, in Battleground Asia at the NSCI Dome in Worli tonight, the question on everyone's mind is if the brain is indeed superior to brawn. China's No. 1 professional boxer Zulpikar has some big punches, while Vijender's hits aren't as heavy.
But the Indian is a veteran in the ring - having excelled at all amateur levels including winning an Olympic bronze medal and a 100 per cent record on the pro circuit. And interestingly, not all eight fights were won by Vijender's physical prowess.
"Vijender has a very sharp boxing brain. He's not a power-puncher but he makes up for it by analysing the opponent quickly and then planning his counter strategy. After beating Kerry Hope (in July last year) for the WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight title, the manner in which he smartly dismantled Francis Cheka (in December last year) was very impressive," Vijender's trainer Lee Beard explained to mid-day yesterday at the weighing in of the boxers.
Needing to be within the 76.2 kg Super Middleweight limit, Vijender, who was 78 kg the previous night, shed a couple of kilos overnight to tip the scales at 76 kg yesterday, while Zulpikar weighed in at 75.9 kg.
Zulpikar can pack a mean punch, and both Vijender and Beard are wary of the young fighter's power. "Oh yes, he's got some heavy punches, so we have planned accordingly. Vijender won't go straight into the fight. He'll take his time, keep Zulpikar at bay and then take him on," added Beard.
Zulpikar meanwhile, is keeping his fists close to his chest for now. "I will go in land some big punches on Vijender," he said. "If I get caught (with a big punch), I'll hit him back too, you wait and watch," Vijender said.
