I'd easily beat Ernest Amuzu, says Vijender Singh ahead of Rajasthan Rumble

Having done it all in the amateur ring, star Indian boxer Vijender Singh is now making a mark in the professional arena one punch at a time.

The 32-year-old, who has won bronze at the Olympics, silver at the Commonwealth games, and gold in the Asian Games, is all set to defend two titles – WBO Asia Pacific middleweight title and the Oriental super middleweight titles – against Ernest Amuzu of Ghana in Jaipur on Saturday.

Vijender, who has a 9-0 record in Pro Boxing so far, has gone from strength to strength in the Pro Boxing Arena, defeating the likes of Zulpikar Maimaitiali of China, Francis Cheka of Tanzania, and Kerry Hope of Australia in his last three bouts, which earned him the two titles.

Now, as the star boxer gears up for his 10th career fight, we caught up with him, to discuss how he has been preparing for the marquee event, where he will defend two titles for the first time.

Here are some of the excerpts from Sportskeeda’s conversation with him.

Q: How’s your preparation coming along for your fight against Ernest Amuzu?

A: Preparations have been brilliant. I’ve been training here in India. And I’ve been through hard-core training sessions for two months now. So all set for the big day. Every day it’s a different training schedule.

Every day we start at around 4 or 4.30 in the evening. One day we have sparring sessions, one day we have technique training, where we use punching pads and punching bags. It's something different every day. On sparring days I generally do 10-12 rounds with five or six boxers.

Q: How special an occasion is this for you since you are defending two titles in the same bout?

A: Both the titles are very special for me, you know? He is the one who went up to the WBA and challenged me for the fight. So we decided to have the bout in Jaipur this time. I’m all up for it.

Q: You have seen the best of both, amateur and pro boxing. How would you compare the two?

A: In Pro boxing, nobody will tell you a single thing; not even a word. It’s your own thing. It all depends on how you want to do it.

In amateur, we have coaches, and other kids, who will constantly push you to go for training. There’s always some rule to follow. But in professional, it’s your own thing. You have to train every day, you have to be fit for yourself. They just give you the regime, and you just have to do it.

Q: If you have to do it all by yourself, how do you keep yourself motivated?

A: Boxing is a very boring sport. Every day you have to do the same thing – punching, punching, punching. So you have to keep yourself motivated.

Every day, every week, it’s the same thing. But you have to do it because it's your job. I don’t know anything else. I’m not a doctor or an engineer. I only know boxing, so that’s what I do.

Q: You've represented India in both amateur and pro boxing. How different is it, in the two arenas?

A: There’s absolutely no difference once you step into the ring. Its all about boxing. When I started, nobody told me what the difference between pro and amateur is. When you enter the ring, you are representing your country.

When my ranking will come, they will still mention that I’m Vijender Singh from India. And anyways from my heart, I am always an Indian. Nobody can take that out of me.

Q: Have you planned anything special for the fight against Amuzu?

A: I don’t really have much to say about him, other than that I’ve seen the videos of his fight, and I can clearly say that I’d easily beat him. Singh is always the King.