In the age of IPL,a heavyweight contender enters boxing ring

Vijender says signing on the dotted line was tough. “We know that we will not be able to take part in the Asian Games,World Championship or Commonwealth Games after this year unless the event is an Olympic qualifying event by the AIBA. Besides,we also have the incentive that a gold medal in the WSB will get us an Olympic berth.”

However,the revolution in the ring also increases the risk of a boxer suffering a career-threatening injury. Unlike a regular AIBA tournament where each boxing contest consists of three 3-minute long bouts,the WSB will have five 3-minute rounds. Moreover,the boxers will be in the ring without head protection or vests.

Vijender says that while training he rarely wears the head gear,but does add that a competitive bout is different. “There is more risk in this format and I guess I am in a position in my career that I can take such a risk,” he says.

With this venture being organised by the international body,the national federation is adopting a wait and watch approach. “We have left it to the individual boxers to decide. And in case the top boxers don’t get to compete at Asian and Commonwealth Games,juniors will get a chance. Moreover,they can always participate in the Olympics,” says Boxing Federation of India secretary Murali Raja.

Unlike most of his Team India mates,Suronjoy Singh sees the WSB as a distraction to his Olympic preparation. “I was wary of a few WSB clauses. It depends on each boxer’s mentality. I am focused on London Olympics in 2012,” says the boxer,who won six gold medals in international competition last year.

There are many in the boxing circles who agree with Suronjoy as they say that the franchise-based tournament could hamper India’s medal haul in major international contests. “A major career-threatening injury is just a punch away when one is without a head gear. And in case the franchise starts milking a boxer like in IPL,Indian boxing could be in problem. Since they have invested money,they would want the best from their boxer,” says a national camp player on condition of anonymity.

The disparity in the weight categories of the WSB and Olympics can also be problem for several boxers who hope for the Games glory. Take Vijender. The World No. 1 in 75 kg will have to participate in the 85 kg when he represensts Delhi since the WSB doesn’t have his regular category. A national coach thinks Vijender will suffer because of this. “For the WSB,he needs to add weight and when he takes part in the middleweight category in the Olympic qualifiers,he would need to lose weight. In middleweight,he is the heaviest boxer but in light heavyweight,he will be the lightest,” he says.