Turning pro is a gamble for boxer Vijender Singh

Ever since Vijender Singh decided to turn pro, only a year before Rio Games, he has been criticised from within his fraternity for choosing money ahead of country. But, for the 29-year-old Vijender, "life is a gamble and you have to take risks because you live only once". He feels that those criticising him are not looking at the larger picture. The Olympic and World Championship medallist said his decision to turn pro will create a window for Indian boxers to join the professional circuit as the future of amateur boxing in India looks bleak in the absence of a recognised national federation. "There is an old saying that 'zindagi ek jua hai' (life is a gamble). I have taken that gamble by turning pro. If I succeed, that would be great, but even if I fail, I can proudly say that at least I had the guts to try out a new thing. But, the most important part is 'why am I taking this gamble'? Is it for name and fame? No! I have earned a lot during my amateur career, and boxing lovers do know about it. I have taken this step to inspire the young generation of Indian boxers to take up the professional boxing because I know they are suffering back home," Vijender, who is currently training in Manchester, said over phone.

Vijender, who ended his amateur career by signing up for UK-based and Francis Warren-owned Queensberry Promotions, will make his middleweight debut on October 10 at the Manchester Arena. He will begin his pro career on the double world title show headlined by Terry Flanagan's WBO World Lightweight title defence against Diego Magdaleno. He was supposed to fight his first bout, comprising four rounds, this month, but it had to be postponed owing to a legal fight with his employers Haryana Police. "I am opening the floodgates for young Indian boxers to try out their hands at more competitive and more lucrative pro circuit. They can have a good future here. Many Indian boxers are interested in coming to Manchester and fight because the overall picture (as far as Indian amateur boxing is concerned) does not look good. However, my advice to the young kids would be to only think about turning pro after giving their 100 per cent for the country at the Rio Olympics," the Bhiwani-based boxer added.

While Vijender didn't like to dwell much into what critics are saying about quitting before Rio, the only thing he said was: "When I win, the national flag would be wrapped around my body. The Tri-colour would be going up."
Vijender, whose bout has been projected as 'World War 3', hailed the efforts of former IABF secretary-general Brig. PKM Raja in launching an Indian professional league. "He is doing a good job and Indian boxers can join the pro circuit through him," he said. Talking about his training under Lee Beard, who coached current pro stars Jack Catterall and Adrian Gonzalez, Vijender said the pro-boxing set-up is very much different from amateur boxing.
"It's not easy to train for a pro-boxing bout. It's physically draining sometimes, but that's how you have to prepare yourself. It's all about stamina and endurance in the pro boxing as you need to sometimes fight up to 12 rounds in a bout," he explained.