It’s just the beginning, wait and watch what else I do: Vijender Singh

Vijender Singh won via Technical Knockout after pummelling local favourite Sonny Whiting in a four-round contest, that could not be completed. (Source: PTI)

His professional career off to a flying start with a knockout win, star Indian boxer Vijender Singh cannot wait for his second bout on October 30 and has promised to pump up the power in his punches by several folds in that contest.

“It’s just the beginning, wait and watch what else I do as I move forward. My next bout is on October 30, the opponent for that would be known this week or next week and I will continue to improve myself, hit harder and get better technically,” Vijender told PTI from Manchester.

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The strapping six-footer won via Technical Knockout after pummelling local favourite Sonny Whiting in a four-round contest, that could not be completed.

“I hardly ever get nervous but yes, I was very excited about the fact that so many people were watching me back in India and in Manchester too. I had to live upto lot of expectations but at the end of the day it’s about hitting and hitting hard, which I managed to do last night,” said the
29-year-old.

The bout was stopped in the third round after Vijender quite literally had his rival on the ropes. A flurry of jabs from the Indian had Whiting gasping for breath before the referee stepped in to end the misery for the Brit.

Ironically, Whiting was the more aggressive one before the bout and had promised to put Vijender “through hell”.

“He had made big claims before the bout. I maintained that I would speak only through my punches in the ring and I kept my word. I never like to talk big because it is pointless if you fail to match it with your actions,” he said.

Talking about his strategy last night, Vijender said he focussed on not allowing his rival to get within hitting distance.

“Had I allowed him to get too close to me, he had the power in his punch to knock me out. I was wary of that, so all I did was use my long reach to good effect. Besides, I kept moving around to ensure that he never got a clear aim at me,” he explained.

“I had worked really hard in my training sessions. My trainer (Lee Beard) had tried to improve my jabbing and it delivered the results for me last night. My technique is gradually changing for the pro circuit and you would see these changes in the coming bouts,” said India’s first Olympic and World Championships medallist boxer.

Meanwhile, Neerav Tomar, MD & CEO IOS Sports and Entertainment, Vijender’s promoters in the pro circuit, was all praise for the boxer.

“That was a superb performance by Vijender in his debut and there is much more to come from him as he develops under Lee Beard. The best part was that Vijender was quite excited about his bout when he reached locker room just two hours before his debut.

“While leaving the locker room for ring, he was quite confident of his win and it happened. There was a lot of hype on Vijender’s debut fight and the response of Vijender’s debut fight on social media and everywhere else was amazing. Now it’s time for him to settle down and get ready for the second fight in Harrow on 30th October,” said Tomar.