Why Vijender Singh turning professional is a good decision

Promoter Francis Warren with Vijender Singh

Vijender Singh turned professional, and as an Indian I wish him the very best in his career. When asked in an interview on Times Now, why turn professional now? His reply was a simple, ‘Why not?’.

For those who are wondering why Vijender can’t pursue his professional boxing career and represent India in the Olypics as well, it is because the International Boxing Association (AIBA) rules on boxers joining professional leagues other than the ones promoted by AIBA clearly state that they become ineligible for amateur competitions.

In an attempt to try to understand the boxer and his professional and personal aspirations, we can look at the past Olympics Gold medalists in the middleweight category that Vijendra competes in, and see that many of them turned to professional boxing too after winning their medals.

James DeGale and Ryota Murata both turned pro a year after winning gold at the Olympics.

Ryota Murata won the Olympic gold medal in the middleweight boxing category in 2012, and turned pro in 2013.

James DeGale won the Olympic Gold medal in the middleweight category in 2008 and turned pro in 2009.

We should not pressurize Vijender or be critical of his decision. In fact, we should encourage him, as even if he does succeed on the professional level, it would make India proud too.

As far as winning Olympic medals is concerned, we as a nation have to fund young and budding atheletes right from a very young age and ensure they can completely focus on their sport and training. We have to ensure that they don’t have to worry about jobs or making money to support themselves and/or their families, and most importantly we have to keep politics away from sports.

“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,” Vijender said at a press conference in London.

The 29-year-old is the biggest name in Indian boxing after becoming the first to bag an Olympic medal. He recently signed a multi-year agreement with Queensberry Promotions through IOS Sports and Entertainment, that will see the middleweight fight a minimum of six times in the first year.

Originally from Haryana, Vijender will now base himself in Manchester, England and train under renowned trainer Lee Beard, who has previously worked with British boxing legend Ricky Hatton. Beard is currently guiding the WBO International and European Light-Welterweight Champion Jack Catterall, former Commonwealth Light-Middleweight Champion Jamie Cox, and top up-and-coming prospects Adrian Gonzalez, Joe Costello and Raza Hamza.

Vijender is set to make his pro debut later this year, and is relishing the opportunity to regularly fight in the UK.

“I’m excited to turn pro and looking forward to the new chapter of my life,” he said in an interview to BoxNation. “I want to train hard and perform for my country at the global level.”

“My immediate goal will be to work hard and make a good boxing record in the next year or so.”

Singh will be promoted by Queensberry Promotions, and Francis Warren is confident the middleweight will make an impact.

“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,” The Hindu reported Warren as saying. “Not only because of his undoubted natural talent, but also due to his drive and focus. He has a clear idea of what he wants to achieve.”