The face of Indian boxing, Vijender Singh, is hoping 2017 brings a new dawn on his already enlightened professional boxing career
India boxer Vijender Singh
India boxer Vijender Singh. Pic/Nimesh Dave
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The face of Indian boxing, Vijender Singh, is hoping 2017 brings a new dawn on his already enlightened professional boxing career.
Vijender already has a history of firsts to his name with the 2008 Beijing Olympics bronze medal being the epitome of his success till date.
He turned professional in October last year and has fought eight battles in the pro circuit since, emerging a winner every time. The latest being a quickfire knockout of Tanzania's Francis Cheka last December to successfully defended his WBO Asia-Pacific Super Middleweight in New Delhi.
Aiming for the stars
This year promises to be very special for the Bhiwani boxer however, as his promoters Frank Warren and Neerav Tomar of IOS Promotions, are eyeing the stars.
Inspired by a TV viewership of a whopping 60 million for the Vijender vs Cheka fight recently, Warren wants his ward to now fight for a world title to take the viewership numbers to unprecedented heights. "There is an incredible fervour surrounding Vijender and it is one we are planning to tap into in a big way. We will look to get him a world title shot next year and that is something he wants to happen in his home country. It all augurs well for Vijender to be a spicy dish on our 2017 menu where world title fare will be plentiful," Warren wrote on his website frankwarren.com recently.
Awaiting bigger challenges
"Vijender has grown tremendously as a professional boxer in a very short span of time. He is eagerly awaiting bigger challenges and we are planning just that for him. We are planning an Inter-continental title bout, followed by a Commonwealth title fight and then a World title battle this year for Viju," revealed Tomar.
A WBO world title for an Indian on the pro circuit is unheard of, and Vijender is quietly confident, just like he's been throughout his smashingly successful career.
"This year will be my most important year in boxing. Both, the Inter-continental and Commonwealth title fights, are 10-rounders and will be the perfect platform for me before the all-important 12-round WBO world title bout," the 31-year-old pugilist told mid-day recently.
So, what are the chances of him making history yet again?
"I have always preferred to let my gloves do the talking, so I'll stick to that again this time. Hopefully, I'll rock this year," he signed off.