Vijender Singh might become India's first world champion sooner than thought

Vijender showed much-improved defense in his win over Dean Gillen

After spectacular finishes in his first two professional fights, star boxer Vijender Singh has his sights set on a match for an Asian title in the next six months. The pugilist from Haryana also wants to be part of a match in New Delhi, sometime in March or April.

On his first trip to India after turning pro in September, the Olympic bronze-medallist had the following to say on the transition from amateur to professional boxing: “It's not at all as easy as it looked on TV. I trained for hours and hours amid people I did not know. There is hardly any social circle there for me. I led a particular life for 15-20 years in the amateur level, all that has suddenly changed and it's not easy making the adjustments.”

He added, “I can say a part of the tough phase is over and some more is left before I become fully comfortable with the set-up. However, I am a tough guy and will get over it. I am adapting pretty quickly to the set-up.”, according to Times of India.

Despite a near-perfect start to his professional career, Vijender’s in no hurry to challenge for a title, and wants to learn the ropes of the still-unfamiliar territory of professional boxing: “Right now I am fighting four-round contests, I will gradually move ahead and increase the rounds to six and 10 and challenge for the Asian title in six months time. because a title bout cannot be four rounds”, he said.

Neerav Tomar, CEO of Vijender’s Indian promoters IOS, echoed the latter’s statements, saying, “We are targeting an Asian title bout for him in the next six months and may be a world title bout in one year's time. Before that, we are planning a bout for him in March-April in Delhi. He can't just go and challenge for a world title fight right away, he has to have good rankings and his rival also has to agree. So it will take at least a year before he reaches that stature.”

Opening up about his pro debut against Sonny Whiting, the World Championship bronze-medallist said that though he won the fight with a dominant second round TKO, there was more to it than met the eye: “My debut opponent, Sonny Whiting, was a tough one. I pulled off a Technical Knockout but it was a struggle for me.”

Vijender will look to extend his unbeaten streak to three, as he steps into the ring again on December 19^th in Manchester. His third opponent is as yet unnamed.