“Tomorrow is going to be historic and it will give Indian people a taste of professional boxing. It is not only going to be a great night for India but for professional boxing in our part of the world. Professional boxing is a great sport and sooner or later, it will become popular in India as well.”
These were the poignant words that popular sports personality Charu Sharma chose to inaugurate the weigh-ins yesterday between Indian Boxing flagbearer Vijender Singh and Welsh-Australian Kerry Hope with.
Read: Sparks fly at the weigh-ins between Vijender Singh and Kerry Hope
Fighting on Indian soil for the first time, (6-0) Vijender Singh looks to claim the WBO Super Middleweight Asia Pacific Title as he goes up against the veteran of 30 fights (23-7), Kerry Hope.
Vijender, who turned professional just a year or so back, will likely have his work cut out after making short work of each of his 6 opponents so far. It would be testing as well that the bout is scheduled for 10 rounds, something Vijender is set to acquire his first taste of later today.
Hope, on the other hand, has gone the distance many times before. Has Vijender Singh prepared appropriately to negotiate the first considerable challenge in his pro career?
Also Read: Vijender Singh details his training camp in the UK for fight against Kerry Hope
Will he be able to overcome experience with his explosive style, or will the wily veteran drag him into deep waters and emerge with the victory?
Will the Indian sensation be able to make it six in six tomorrow? Find out here:
TV – India: Star Sports 4/Star Sports HD 4
Date: July 16, 2016
Vijender Singh’s Fight Time: 9 p.m IST
Venue: Thyagaraj Sports Complex, New Delhi