Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Vijender Singh is open to the idea of competing in professional boxing as he feels with the headguards going out of the equation in the amateur arena,the dividing line between the two formats has blurred considerably. The strapping six-footer,who was content being an amateur,has had a change of heart after the recent rule change by the international body.
I might give it a shot. There is hardly any difference between amateur and professional boxing given that headguards wont be there in both. I might agree if a good offer comes along in the AIBA Professional Boxing League, Vijender said. I have trained quite a lot of times without a headguard. Its no big deal but any change at the competition level is adapted only over a period of time, he added.
Vijender has resumed training only recently after getting his name cleared in a damaging drug scandal. He had to undergo a NADA dope test following accusations of consuming heroin but the result was in his favour. The former world number one middleweight boxer resumed his training at the Sports Authority of India Centre in Sonepat,instead of NIS Patiala,where he usually trains.
I just wanted a break from the usual after what had happened. Even otherwise,the coaches are not in the country right now because they are out with various teams. So,I just came to Sonepat and I am being trained by Mr C Kuttappa, said Vijender. National coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu told me I should check out Sonepat SAI centre,so I came here. SAI Director General was kind enough to allow me, he added.
Back on the subject of headguards,Vijender warned of frequent injury breakdowns in the absence of the protective gear. When you are competing with a headguard,the risk of injury is a little less. Without a headguard,you have to be more careful, he explained. Even the upper age limit for amateur boxers has been increased from 34 to 40 and Vijender said all these changes are a sign that professional boxing would be promoted in a big way.
The reason why these changes have been made is that AIBA wants to focus on professional boxing and it is the way forward in my opinion also. The age limit has been increased because AIBA wants boxers to try both formats, said Vijender.
