Vijender Singh hints at September bout, opponent still undecided

Indian boxer Vijender Singh dropped a hint that his much-awaited fight for the Commonwealth super middleweight title, which was cancelled might take place in September, even though the opponent is still not finalised.

“Perhaps it will be in September, the Commonwealth committee will decide the opponent,” said Vijender said at a promotional event in Kolkata on Tuesday.

The 2008 Olympics bronze-medallist, who is ranked fourth in the World Boxing Organization (WBO) rankings for the super middleweight category was to fight against Lee Makhram, for the Commonwealth title on July 13, but the bout was cancelled after the British boxer pulled out because of an injury.

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Vijender was also optimistic of more Indian boxers turning pro saying, “Not all the boxers go to the Olympics and the Asian Games. They can come to pro boxing. I am not saying the cream should opt for pro boxing, but those who feel they can do well at pro level should come.”

The 32-year-old who holds the WBO Oriental and the Asia Pacific titles has also been remarkably good in acting and modelling too and when asked on why he chose boxing over the other two, he said,

“I have realised that I don’t know anything other than boxing. I have tried my hands in various things like doing a movie, a TV reality show but I get bored very easily.”

Vijender was also full of praise for India’s newest 18-year-old sensation, urging the Indian government to support the promising athlete to keep her focused.

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“What a finish, she looks really promising to me. But I have heard that she hails from a very poor family.

People are only talking about her show. Instead of the big talks, she should be funded well and looked after well to ensure that she stays focused,” said India’s first Olympic medallist in boxing.

“She has to keep working hard. It takes a lot to win an Olympic medal. I remember people had written me off as I was the last to qualify for the Beijing Olympics but I kept working hard until I made the cut from Asian qualifiers in Kazakhstan,” he added.