Agencies
New Delhi
"Singh is King, Come, cheer and see how I take Cheka down," - this is what an upbeat Vijender Singh said ahead of his eighth pro-boxing bout against Tanzania’s Francis Cheka.
From winning India’s first ever Olympic medal in boxing at the 2008 Beijing Games to making a swashbuckling transition to the professional circuit, the Bhiwani boy has done it all with unmatched swag.
He is unbeaten after seven bouts and confidently shrugged off the trash talk from his opponent from Tanzania - Cheka.
“Cheka will get a lot of punches from me on December 17. He has not even thought how many punches he will get. I just want to request all my Indian friends to come and cheer for me,” a confident Vijender Singh said.
Vijender, who won his seventh professional bout on the trot when he beat Australian Kerry Hope in July this year in the Capital, is about to face the toughest challenge of his glittering professional career when he takes on the Intercontinental Super Middleweight Champion Cheka on December 17 at the Thyagaraj Stadium.
The fight against Hope in July was the longest Vijender had spent inside the ring to clinch a win since turning pro. He scored 98-92, 98-92, 100-90 to clinch the title in front of a jam-packed Thyagaraj Stadium and the Olympic bronze medallist is confident about keeping his unbeaten run intact.
“Six rounds will enough to beat Cheka. I will try to continue my winning run. I have a 7-0 record and I am sure it will be 8-0,” the Bhiwani lad said.
Cheka has been a professional boxer for 17 years now and has been one of the big names in the division along with the likes of Paul Smith, Matthew Macklin and Fedor Chudinov.
Cheka is a veteran of 43 fights and has 32 wins, 17 of them coming by way of knock-outs.
But these numbers will not bog down Vijender, who dismissed his opponent’s claims and achievements with nonchalance.
“All I want to say right now is that Singh is King, Vijender Singh. I don’t have any doubt. Let’s see in the ring,” Vijender said.
“I never bother about my opponent’s records and achievements. I don’t care if Cheka is a superstar. I too have my Olympic medal with me,” he said.
On being asked about any special plan against the Tanzanian, the Olympic medallist said: “I have a plan, but I don't want to reveal. If I tell you, it will be disclosed to him. So, let me execute that plan in the ring on December 17. I am sure he will have a tough time.”
The Beijing Olympics bronze medallist is confident that fighting in front of his home crowd will boost his chances and expects the fans to back him to the hilt.
"I am expecting huge support from my country. The chants and cheers pumps me up. I feel so energetic in the ring. I am thankful to my friends for such support in my last fight (against Hopes). Chants of ‘Viju', ‘Viju' are still fresh in my mind. I am expecting the same this time too," Vijender said.
"Lath sa gaadh denge. Aajaiye 17 taarikh ne," Vijender said in Haryanavi language.
Vijender has been training hard for this bout in Manchester and sounded extremely satisfied with his preparations.
“Training has been really good. I was in Manchester for two months and underwent vigourous training. Now, I am back and ready for the bout on December 17 against Cheka. I have really worked hard. Long swimming sessions, track rounds, 12 to 13 rounds bout sessions and long swimming sessions were the part of my training module in Manchester. I just can’t wait to get into the ring now,” the Indian boxing star said.
On the other hand, Vijender’s opponent Cheka is determined to do a Muhammed Ali on December 17 and doesn't give much importance to the bout.
“I have fought many big fights. I don’t consider the fight against Vijender as a big one. I have fought against star American boxers, who have won world titles. I have defeated them. I am going to beat Vijender on his homeland. Be ready for December 17,” Cheka said on the eve of the bout.
When boxing great Muhammad Ali faced George Foreman in 1974's Rumble in the Jungle, audience cheered Ali by shouting, "Ali Bomaye!", meaning, "Ali, kill him!".
Cheka is determined to do an Ali on December 17 against Indian boxing ace Vijender.
"Boom ba yay. This is what people used to cheer for Mohammed Ali. I am here to do the same with Vijender. I will kill him. I am here to win. It will be 'Cheka Boom ba yay' on December 17," Cheka said.
