MUMBAI: Indian super middleweight pro Vijender Singh sounded confident about form and Manchester preparations under trainer Lee Beard for the August 5 WBO bout at NSCI indoor stadium against Chinese challenger Zulpikar Maimaithiali.
“He is just a young kid, a southpaw with just eight fights. I will give my reply in the ring,” said the Indian, holder of the WBO Asia-Pacific belt. The 23-year-old opponent holds the WBO Oriental title after eight pro fights (seven wins and a draw).
He was responding to the Chinese boasting about winning the bout, named ‘Battleground Asia’. “I speak with my fists. He better protect himself.”
Zulpikar was supposed to take on the Indian in April, the fight will take place three months later, with the winner getting the right to hold both WBO titles.
Sachin Tendulkar will be in attendance, having received the fight ticket from Vijender.
“Sachin supporting me is a huge boost,” said the Haryana boxer, who has eight pro wins so far, five of them via KOs and 30 rounds of ring experience under his belt.
Seven fighters will step into the ring on August 5 at the event organised by IOS Boxing Promotions, besides the super middleweight bout featuring two WBO champions.
Akhil Kumar (jr welterweight), Jitender Kumar (lightweight), Neeraj Goyat (welterweight), Kuldeep Dhanda (lightweight), Pardeep Kharera (welterweight) and Dharmender Grewal (cruiserweight) are seven others to be seen in action against foreign boxers, yet to be named.
Goyat holds the WBC Asia welterweight title, Akhil and Jitender are Olympians who fought with Vijender at the Beijing Games 2008.
