NEW DELHI: Eager to add to his 12-0 unbeaten professional boxing record, Vijender Singh has hit top gear in training, as he awaits the announcement of his opponent for his next fight. The bout is likely to happen in two-months’ time at home.
His Indian promoters, IOS Boxing Promotions, announced on Tuesday that “Vijender will certainly be in action this March”. However, the 2008 Olympic medallist told Timesofindia.com that it could well be in April or May.
“Promoters in America [Top Rank] are on it; they said we will give you a fight in maybe April or May. They are planning that,” the 35-year-old told TimesofIndia.com from his home in Delhi.
Vijender had signed with Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions in the US in 2018 as an extension to his primary contract with IOS.
“I started training in the first week of January, so it’s going to be two months. I got a go-ahead in January as we are targeting 2-3 fights this year. But let’s see how it goes,” said Vijender, whose last fight was more than a year ago in November 2019, against Ghana’s Charles Adamu.

(Twitter Photo)
Vijender is also the reigning WBO Oriental and WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight champion. The upcoming match will be his fifth professional bout in India.
Talking further with Timesofindia.com, Vijender said he is getting quality sparring partners for in-ring practice.
“I was doing fitness drills during the lockdown as well, but the feeling of the ring is different. We may do as much cardio, weights, etc.; but sparring is different, the feel is different.
“I am currently sparring with boxers from the boxing academy in Jhajjar and Faridabad, sometimes boxers from Bhiwani as well,” he said.

(TOI Photo)
While the logistics around the host city in India and his next opponent are being worked out by his promoters, Vijender, who has won medals at the Olympics, World Championships, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Asian Championships as an amateur boxer before turning professional, concluded the conversation by saying that he is focused on putting in the hard work.
“Waheguru mehar kare, sab to wadda oh hai. Apna kum hai try karna, mehnat karna [God will shower his blessings, He is the almighty. My job is to try, work hard]. And I am doing that.
“We are hoping that the date [of the fight] is finalised soon.” he added.