Can Vijender Singh prove the doubters wrong, again?

Vijender Singh will be up against an experienced Francis Cheka when he defends his WBO Asia-Pacific Championship title on December 17.

Vijender Singh has been dismantling opponents with a calm not usually associated with professional boxing.

“I will end Vijender Singh’s boxing career,” the Tanzanian boxer Francis Cheka, who is all set to face Vijender Singh for WBO Asia-Pacific Championship belt on December 17 at Thyagraj Stadium in New Delhi, has issued a warning. But the self-proclaimed “King of the Ring” is not the one to back away from a fight. In response to Cheka, the Bhiwani Express said that he will show in the ring who is the best. If truth be told, in his first-ever WBO Asia-Pacific title defense, Vijender is an ultimate underdog.

The story so far

When Vijender announced his decision to turn pro, many doubted his move to quit amateur boxing. He chose to answer his critics with the swag that won him bronze at 2008 Olympics and let his punches do the talking. What followed was a series of knockouts. The 30-year old won his first six pro bouts via knockouts and kept getting better everytime he took the ring. His next challenge gave him a shot at WBO Asia Pacific Championship against 34-year old Australian boxer Kerry Hope. In front of a jam-packed Delhi crowd, Singh completely dominated his opponent and recorded his first title victory by unanimous decision of 92-98, 92-98, 90-100. Within a year, Singh has won seven bouts on the trot, and a title.

Cheka the toughest

“With experience in boxing, you learn how to be a scientific boxer and how to fight easy,” Manny Pacquiao once said. Apart from dominant physical prowess, Singh’s opponent on Saturday brings experience to the table. Cheka has been around the circuit for over 16 years. He has fought with the best in the world and has been a World Champion. In the 43 bouts of his career, the Tanzanian, who currently holds Inter-Continental Super Middleweight Championship, has won 33, 17 via knockouts. Cheka was high on confidence in the mandatory face-off on Tuesday and did a lot of ‘trash-talk’. “Vijender’s Olympic medal is nothing. I am a World Champion and inter-continental champion… Vijender looks scared already. India will be ashamed on Saturday,” Cheka said. Vijender smirked and chose not to reply.

High stakes

On Saturday, Singh puts everything at stake. If he loses, he not only gives away the belt, he also loses an opportunity to enter top 10 WBO rankings. For Cheka, however, the fight does not mean much. “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,” Cheka said in an interview.

The Indian boxer knows he is in for a tough game on Saturday and is depending a lot on the home crowd advantage. “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,” he said in an interview.

With the Delhi crowd backing his ‘home-boy’ and the 5-month training sessions in Manchester, Vijender feels he is confident he can end the fight in six rounds. If he is able to retain his belt, Singh will once again prove his doubters wrong, but for now, Cheka seems to have an edge over his opponent.