‘For Rio Olympics,we have to box the way the world is doing’

How do you see the new rules and the format?

One thing is certain that these rules are for every boxer in the world. Boxing in the world is moving towards professional style and we have to adapt accordingly. Before 1989,the same style of manual scoring was there and AIBA has done it to reduce errors and to make boxing more interesting. But we have to realise that injury threat will be more in this case. Straight punches will be the key and I believe maintaining distance will save one from injury. Most of the injuries will be internal and we have to take care of that.

You played in the World Series of Boxing for Mumbai Fighters. How do you rate that experience?

When I signed for WSB,I knew the risk and wanted to try the new format. Last two years have seen the world body going the professional way and that experience will come handy. Boxing styles have changed and this time in London,a total of 75 boxers from WSB participated and won 17 medals. So this benefited most of the boxers. It was unfortunate that Indian franchise missed this season. If we had a boxer like Vijender or Vikas Yadav playing in WSB,It would have also benefited Indian boxing. For Rio Olympics,we have to box the way the world is doing.

Apart from WSB,boxers will now qualify through the newly introduced AIBA Professional Boxing. Are you willing to join this and how it will benefit Indian boxers?

The last few years have seen interest in amateur boxing falling down. That is the reason,AIBA has launched APB. I have just made a return and would like things to go slow. Maybe,later I can think of joining. But one has to realise that we need to have that kind of infrastructure and training methods. I read somewhere that the Japanese team trained with professional boxers before London Olympics. And they claimed two medals including one gold medal. So far five Indian boxers have got the contracts for APB but they do not know whether to sign it or not. The federation should help them as taking part in APB will also mean that they cannot play for their respective departments and in CWG and Asian Games. We have to build a separate culture for professional boxing. We need sponsors and money coming into boxing. And we cannot ignore it for Rio Olympics.

Talking about your chances,AIBA has now increased the age limit to 40 years. You are 32 now. How do you see your chances?

I was suffering a calf tear since World championship in Baku. And I want to make sure that I take things slowly. I was away from the game for more than 18 months and did my DSP training at Madhuban. I am still match fit and I am working on my strengths.

Coaches Sandhu and Jaidev Bisht are happy that I am back in the national camp. The main concern would be to stay injury free and if I can do that,I am sure I will be successful once again. SAI has been supportive for us in the national camps and that is a big motivation for all of us.