#TFGinterview: Vijender Singh talks his fight with Zulpikar Maimaitiali, his journey so far, Amir Khan and more

THE PROFESSIONAL BOXING CAREER of Vijender Singh took a big turn a year back in July.

The Indian went on to secure a Unanimous Decision win over Australia’s Kerry Hope in Mumbai and in turn, was crowned the WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight Champion.

Vijender Singh: It was a very emotional and memorable day in the history of my boxing career; a lot of things have changed since then. People have started attaching my name to the most successful boxer from India, I am the face of Indian professional boxing, and it is a huge responsibility to not let down people who put so much faith in you. Apart from this I feel since I started professional boxing I have made many changes in training, diet etc. depending on my opponents, so that’s the technical change I go through before every fight.

A year and one fight later, Vijender is in the reaching distance of yet another milestone, the WBO Oriental Super Middle Weight Title.

He will face China’s Zulpikar Maimaitiali at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Indoor Stadium in Mumbai on August 5^th and both the WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight title and the WBO Oriental Super Middle Weight Title will be on the line.

Zulpikar, who is almost ten years younger than Vijender has enjoyed a considerable amount of success so far in his career. But Vijender feels that the age difference is not going to be a big deal when they get into the ring. He also laid out some factors that gave him the edge over his Chinese counterpart.  

Vijender Singh: In pro-boxing it’s not about age, it’s more to do with your strength and stamina. It all depends in the training a boxer has been undergoing, the ultimate result lies on the hard work one has put in while training. The fact that I have faced more rounds than Zulpikar gives me an edge over him because I have the stamina to last for 10 rounds. Also, the fact that I am fighting at my home-ground makes a lot of difference, everywhere is cheering for you, it pumps you up to fight harder, push your limit and give your everything to the fight.

Despite these, the Southpaw advantage is something that Zulpikar would want to bank in on.

Vijender Singh: Earlier I have faced Kerry Hope, who is also a Southpaw, so I sort of have some practice in this. But again, every boxer is different, my trainer watches videos of Zulpikar’s previous bouts and then we both plan a strategy to tackle him in the ring, we train in different ways, all I can say is I will have an answer to every punch that Zulpikar will throw at me.

Currently 8-0 in his pro-career, Vijender will also be putting his undefeated streak on the line along with his title on Saturday night. Going through those eight fights was never a cake walk. It was almost two years back that he started his pro-boxing journey and he still wants the sport to thrive in India.

Vijender Singh: I want India to become synonymous with professional boxing, just like all other boxers I want people to know my name and my country in the field of professional boxing. I think I am moving in the right direction, my promoter Neerav Tomar, has been playing a very important part in helping me achieve my mission. Improvements are needed everywhere when you are trying to make a change, so yes we’re making changes and improvements.

As the Super Boxing League was giving a platform for the pro-boxers in India, we also asked Vijender about his thoughts on the promotion.

Vijender Singh: Well I don’t know much about it, but I have heard it's giving a lot of boxers a chance to perform, which is great. I don’t know how it is doing because I am not following it here in Manchester. But if it’s doing good and helping the boxers, then good.

One of the founders of Super Boxing League, Amir Khan, a decorated professional boxer himself, have been crossing paths with Vijender for quite some time now. Recently, Amir even went on to say that Vijender should fight more top level talent.

Vijender Singh: (Laughs) I do not want to comment on that. He has the right to say what he wants, but that does not mean I will listen or react to everything he says. He thinks what he is saying is right, and I know what I am doing is right.

The exchange of words has made the fans excited about a potential super fight between the two. And Vijender assures that he will give his 100 per cent if such a fight happens.

Vijender Singh: My prediction will say I will win, obviously, why I will want to see myself lose. But then again boxing as a sport is unpredictable, so if a fight between us will happen, all I can say is I will give me 100 percent and then we will see what the result is.

While Amir Khan is a potential future opponent, Vijender has his eyes firmly set on Zulpikar. And he wants to fly the tricolors high once again when he fights in Mumbai on Saturday.

Vijender Singh: My fans have always been very generous in showing their love and support for me, I am confident of them coming out in big numbers and cheering for me in Mumbai as well. They play a very important role in my performance, so Mumbai and everyone in India I need your love and support just like the previous fights, so please be there for me.

BONUS: Vijender Singh on a potential move to MMA:

I am only concentrating on my boxing as of right now, I have a certain goal to achieve a world title, I want to stay focused on that, for now, I am not thinking of anything else.

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