After defeating China’s Zulpikar Maimaitiali in August this year, Vijender Singh will be back in the boxing ring again against Ghana’s Ernest Amuzu; putting both his titles — Asia Paicific champion and oriental super middleweight title — on the line at the Sawai Mansingh Indoor Stadium in Jaipur on 23rd December.
“This is going to be my tenth fight and I wish to continue my winning run against the Ghana boxer as I am all prepared for it,” said the Olympic bronze medallist. “He is a good boxer I believe, at least his record says that. I don’t know much about his as he has challenged me first; he went to WBO (World Boxing Organisation) first to challenge me and they gave him the go ahead for the bout. He won 23 out of 25 fights he had and that’s why WBO allowed him to fight me I believe.”
The event — named the Rajasthan Rumble (promoted by IOS boxing promotions and Vijender Singh promotions — will feature other top Indian pro boxers, to be announced soon, including the marquee bout between Vijender and Ernest in the Pink City. Vijender explains why Jaipur over other big cities.
“The fight is going to be held in Jaipur this time because we want pro-boxing… especially boxing to be promoted all over India. After this I would like to fight in other non-metropolitan cities and small towns as everyone goes for the bigger cities and others don’t get much attention, which often hides the raw boxing talents,” said the boxer from Bhiwani, Haryana.
Vijender reveals that the stakes are high for the bout as everything he won in his nascent pro-boxing career will be on the line and it’s not going to be easy.
“This fight is important to me as all of my fights. I have won all my last nine previous pro-boxing fights and I am adamant on continuing that. It’s going to be big sensation if he manages to beat me; he will get my titles, my ranking, and establish himself as a boxer.
“Going by my previous experiences, boxers playing against the crowd are extra-motivated to beat the local favourites and they put up a fight till the end. That’s what Kerry Hope and (Zulpikar) Maimaitiali did in their fights against me. Maimaitiali almost tried to kill me with his unfair punches,” chuckled the current WBO Asia Pacific and oriental middleweight champion.
Talking about his preparation for the 23rd December bout, Vijender said no matter how arduously prepares, a surprise element from his counterpart is expected.
“I am not sure about what to expect from him during the fight. I have experiences of fighting with African fighters at the amateur level and they have strong endurance but that experience can’t tell you much in pro-boxing level. I have also saw his boxing through youTube videos and I am studying his stance and style as much as I can with what I have at my disposal but that still doesn’t tell you everything.
“In my last fight, the Chinese boxer (Maimaitiali) took me by surprise as he fought till the last round. At this stage you have to expect and prepare for everything. But I am confident of a win as I have complete faith in myself, Singh is king,” said the 32-year-old.
His counterpart Amuzu said he is confident of defeating Vijender and will make him “realise how tough pro boxing is”.
“I know Vijender is a good boxer and has been unbeatable so far, but I am confident that he will lose his both the titles in front of his home crowd,” said Amuzu. “So far Vijender has not faced any tough and experienced opponent like me, I am sure that after facing me, he will realise how tough pro boxing is.”
