Singh signs contract with Queensberry Promotions.
By Dileep Thekkethil
BENGALURU: Vijender Singh, India’s bronze medallist in boxing at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, will not get a chance to repeat his triumph in the Rio Olympics as the celebrated boxer bid adieu to his amateur boxing career and signed a multi-year agreement with Queensberry Promotions to turn professional.
Vijender Singh, the first ever boxer from India to clinch an Olympic medal, on Monday announced his retirement from the amateur career to promoting himself as a professional boxer, this at the cost of losing another chance to represent India in any forms of amateur championships unless they’re part of The International Boxing Association’s pro boxing competition APB.
Singh announced that he signed a multi-year agreement with Queensberry Promotions via Infinity Optimal Solutions (IOS) Sports and Entertainment that now insist him to fight at least six times in the first year. He said in the press conference in London “I’m excited to turn pro and looking forward to the new chapter of my life. I want to train hard and perform for my country at the global level. IOS will be managing my pro boxing career along with Queensbury Promotions with broadcaster BoxNation. My immediate goal will be to work hard and make a good boxing record in the next year or so.”
The announcement of the 29-year old boxer has sent shockwaves across the Indian boxing fraternity as they believed Vijender could bring many more glories to Indian soil, which has now been obliterated. Gurbax Singh Sandhu, the national coach said that it is a bad news for Indian team overall.
Sandhu was quoted by The Times of India saying “But he is an individual and he is free to decide his career. He must have thought something.”
The International Boxing Association has clearly delineated rules for professional boxers outside the ones promoted by it, restricting them from becoming part of amateur competitions.
According to the head of Queensberry Promotions, Francis Warren, Vijender has the skill and talent to make a mark as a professional boxer, just the way he did as an amateur for India.
He said “I’m very excited to have brought such a talented and determined individual over to the UK and can’t wait to see what Vijender is capable of doing in the professional ranks after achieving so much as an amateur”
He added “After spending the past week with him in Manchester, there is no doubt in my mind that he has what it takes to be a very successful professional boxer, not only due to his undoubted natural talent, but also due to his drive and focus.
“He has a clear idea of what he wants to achieve and I am over the moon that he will be doing that with Queensberry Promotions and BoxNation.”
The CEO of IOS Sports and Entertainment Neerav Tomar was quoted by The Indian Express saying “It’s a historic moment for Indian boxing with Vijender turning Pro. He’s a top fighter and is extremely motivated to train hard and perform.”
The amateur boxing career of Vijender stretching over a decade has earned him a hand full of medals that India has long cherished for. He was the country’s first medallist at the World Championship in 2009 where we bagged bronze. His success in 2006 and 2010 Asian Games came in the form of silver and gold medals, respectively.
He also won silver and gold medals at the Asian Games in 2006 and 2010, respectively. His represented India for 2014 Commonwealth Games and won silver medal, which could be his last representing India.
Vijender Singh, who is currently stationed in Manchester, England, is currently receiving training from renowned coach Lee Beard, who previously worked with Ricky Hatton, the British boxing legend.