Vijender Singh vs. Zulpikar Maimaitiali Undercard Information

IOS Boxing Promotions today announced its complete fight card for the much-awaited fight night ‘Battleground Asia’ scheduled to happen at Dome@NSCI, SVP Stadium in Mumbai on 5th August 2017.

The knockout king Vijender Singh headlines a quality packed card that also features debut of Beijing Olympic quarterfinalists Akhil Kumar and Jitender Kumar. In the double title fight, Indian boxing sensation Vijender Singh will take on Chinese No.1 boxer Zulpikar Maimaitiali and both will compete for double title – WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight & WBO Oriental Super Middleweight. The other two key boxers Akhil Kumar (Junior Welterweight – 63.5 Kg) will take on Australian TY Gilchrist and Jitender Kumar (Lightweight – 61.2 Kgs) will face Thanet Likhitkamporn from Thailand in their debut fights.

‘Battleground Asia’ will also see participation from other boxers apart from the Beijing Olympic trio, WBC Asia Welterweight Champion Neeraj Goyat who will be looking to defend his title belt, the other joining the fight card are Pardeep Kharera, Dharmender Grewal and Kuldeep Dhanda.

The 26-year-old boxer from Haryana, Neeraj Goyat made his professional debut in 2011 against Gou Wen Dong in China. He has fought 12 bouts with an experience of 71 rounds under his belt and claimed 8 wins, with 2 Knockouts. The Indian is currently placed 35th in the WBC list which was updated after his victory over Australian Ben Kite, who he defeated to retain his title. In 2016, he had won bronze medal in the AIBA Pro Boxing Olympic qualifier.

WBC Asia Welterweight Champion Neeraj Goyat will be looking to defend his title in a 10-round fight against Allan Tanada of Philippines in the Welterweight category (66.7 Kgs). Neeraj will be facing a much-experienced boxer, Tanada who made his debut in the year 2008 and has played 24 bouts since then with winning 15 of them including 7 KO’s, and has 137 rounds under his belt.

An enthusiastic Neeraj Goyat spoke on defending his title belt, “I have worked very hard for this belt and this belt means a lot to me. I am not going to let anyone take it from me. I am putting in a lot of labour and muscles to make sure that the belt remains with me on 5th August 2017. Yes, my opponent is more experienced but that does not mean I will let go of my belt that easy, I will give him a tough fight.”

The 21- year old Pardeep Kharera comes from a small district in Haryana. Pardeep turned pro last year in February, till date he has 3 bouts with 11 rounds under his belt. Pardeep, will face Wanphichit Siriphana of Thailand who debuted in the year 2014 and has fought 3 bouts since then. Siriphana has played 15 rounds, he has won 2 bouts out of the 3 that he has been a part of. Pardeep will face him in a 6-round contest in Welterweight category (66.7 Kgs).

Dharmender Grewal turned towards professional boxing in April last year and has fought and won 2 bouts since his debut, with one resulting in a Knockout win. He will face Isaac Slade of Australia in a 6-round contest, in the Cruiserweight category (90.7 Kgs). Isaac debuted in the year 2015 and has been a part of 3 fights with 15 rounds. However, he has won only 1 bout with KO, the other two resulting in loss and draw respectively.

Haryana boy Kuldeep Dhanda, 27, who turned professional in April last year in the light weight category made a good start in his career winning 3 out of 3 bouts. In this fight night, he will face Sachin Bhot in a 4 round contest in the Lightweight (61.2 Kgs) category. Sachin has previously played two bouts with one resulting in his favour the other against him

www.boxingscene.com/vijender-singh-vs-zulpikar-maimaitiali-undercard-information–118822?print_friendly=1

June 2017, New Delhi: Talks have taken a positive turn between SECA Worldwide, promoters of Chinese No.1 boxer and WBO Oriental Super middleweight champion Zulpikar Maimaitiali and IOS Boxing Promotions, promoter of WBO Asia Pacific Super middleweight champion Vijender Singh for the biggest showdown in Asia.

The battle between two of the biggest pro fighters of India and China will decide the King of Asia. This will be a double title fight, where in both the boxers will put their respective titles at stake whoever defends his title, goes home with his defended title and the opponents title.

The promoters of the respective boxers were in talks earlier this year as well, but due to unavoidable circumstances the bout did not take place. However, now that the promoters are back in talks, boxing fans have a lot to rejoice, since this is going to be a high magnitude clash of both the boxers who are unbeaten till date. The battlefield decided for this clash is the glittering city of Mumbai, and the bout is likely to take place in the beginning of August.

Speaking on a possible bout Edmund Chu, MD, SECA Worldwide said, “Zulpikar is training and preparing to fight Vijender Singh in the biggest showdown of the year. Due to certain unavoidable circumstances, the bout had to be postponed, but we have been in talks with IOS Boxing Promotions for over a month now to work out the modalities and are hopeful for the bout to take place soon. Zuli is ready to enter the ring in India and put on a performance against Indian star Vijender Singh in front of his home crowd to become Asian King of Boxing”.

The 22-year-old undefeated Chinese star boxer Zulpikar Maimaitiali, currently holds the WBO Oriental Super Middleweight Champion Title. He has fought 8 bouts with 24 rounds under his belt. Zulpikar has won 7 bouts with no less than 5 KO wins and one draw. The Chinese boxer debuted in the year 2015, and won the WBO Oriental Title last year in July. Now, he would be fighting to defend his recently acquired title against Indian boxing sensation Vijender Singh.

Vijender Singh, who recently retained his WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight title debuted in the year 2015. Vijender has 8 wins under his belt with 7 of them being won by KO and 1 by Unanimous Decision. He has played 30 rounds, which puts him a few rounds above his next opponent. Vijender Singh won his maiden title last year in July after defeating Kerry Hope of Australia. Later in the month of December the golden boy of Indian boxing was challenged by Francis Cheka of Tanzania for his title, which was gracefully retained by Vijender Singh. This will be his biggest test till date against a much younger Chinese fighter.

Commenting on Singh’s next fight, Promoter, IOS Boxing Promotions, Mr. Neerav Tomar, said, “We started talks with SECA in December 2016 but finally after several rounds of discussions, Zulpikar looks all set to take on Vijender Singh in the biggest battle of Asia wherein two top boxers of India and China will compete for double title. I am sure this fight will be the first of its kind high voltage clash in the Asian Sub continent. The biggest fight of Asia will decide King of Asia involving more than 3 billion people. We will apply to WBO to sanction the title once we lock the terms with SECA. As soon as our fight is sanctioned we will announce the date and venue of the fight night. We will try to make this fight happen in August 2017”.

By Shivani Gupta

Move aside Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. The world is now awaiting Vijender Singh vs Amir Khan. A bout that can add another chapter in the sporting rivalry of India and Pakistan and be a game-changer for the sport in the sub-continent.

Recently-crowned WBO Asia-Pacific Super Middleweight champion Vijender Singh has raised hopes of a possible bout between him and British Boxing star Amir Khan. Despite the fact that the two are in different weight categories, speaking exclusively to India Today, Vijender said, “Why not? This fight is very much possible.”

The Indian pugilist went on to add, “Vijender vs Amir will be the fight of the century. And whether Delhi or Lahore or Karachi, let’s do it. I’m ready for the bout anywhere in the world.”

So will he lose weight or will Amir have to gain?

“I don’t mind losing weight but not too much. I will not go down to the 70 kg mark. Maybe till 73 kg [around 160-pounds]. Amir will have to gain some,” Vijender said.

It all depends on the promoters of course who will have to pull a few strings to make this bout a reality. While the British boxer of Pakistan origin fights in the light welterweight category which goes up to 63.5 kg, Vijender is currently in the Super middleweight category of 73-76 kgs.

With talks flying around of a possible bout between the two, Amir Khan had shot out a warning to the Bhiwani lad earlier, tweeting, “Congratulations to @boxervijender on the win. Careful what you wish for kid!”

Vijender was a sport about the jab, saying, “Some people drink snake blood, some do other things. This is pro-boxing. It’s alright here. I don’t mind.”

Vijender says the two are friends and often talk through twitter or texts. Amir even invited him home when Vijender was fighting a pro bout in Bolton. While Viju couldn’t make it, the two share a special friendship. In April this year, Amir Khan had shown interest in fighting Vijender in India and the latter had accepted the challenge.

Speaking on his future, Vijender also added that fans could him in the ring again towards the end of the year and currently, he is discussing with his promoters if a shot at the world title is possible.

www.boxingscene.com/vijender-singh-views-amir-khan-fight-massive-event–106865?print_friendly=1

Indian boxer Vijender Singh clinched the WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight title with a dominant win over former WBC European champion Kerry Hope in new Delhi.

Vijender, 30, took all 10 rounds to dismantle the 34-year-old Welsh-born Australian to record his seventh straight win in the pro circuit, a year after turning professional.

It was the longest bout of Vijender’s pro career and also his first points win after six knockouts. Vijender was named unanimous winner after being score 98-92, 98-92, 100-90 by the three judges.

Vijender, who as an amateur became India’s first Olympic and World Championships medallist, was hardly pushed despite playing all 10 rounds, and was cheered deliriously by a packed partisan crowd.

“It’s not about myself, it’s about my nation, my country,” Vijender said after the win.

Vijender seemed to be looking for a knockout blow from the very beginning even though Kerry was the more attacking of the two. But Kerry’s inability to connect cleanly proved to be his undoing against Vijender, who waited patiently to throw his accurate blows.

Hope’s shorter arms further hampered his ability to find a way past Vijender’s defence early on.

“This comes after a lot of hard work put in by me, my trainer and my team. I thank my coach, my promoter and my team who have done a fantastic job. I also thank all the fans, the celebrities and sportspersons who have come to watch my bout today. The countdown has just begun,” Vijender said.

 Vijender Singh possesses an vicious right hand. Pictured: Vijender Singh and Andrzej Soldra in action on May 16, 2016.Reuters –

Boxing fans in India will finally get to see Vijender Singh throw his massive punches and jabs as a proefessional as he will make his home debut against Kerry Hope from Australia for the WBO Asia-Pacific Middleweight title next month in Delhi. Vijender is excited about the fight and looking forard to make an impact

Though Vijender is undefeated in his pro career so far, this fight against Hope could prove to be his biggest challenge. Hope is an experienced fighter, with 30 bouts under his name, and has been involved as a pro for more than a decade.

Vijender is quite new compared to Hope as the Indian boxer has only fought six fights, with his first one coming just in October last year. However, he has already earned a name for himself after an impressive start to his career, which helped him land this WBO Asia-Pacific title shot as well. Vijender has defeated all his opponents via knockout so far.

“I want to say this is just the beginning. It is only 6-0 at the moment. In the future, when it becomes 60-0, I will consider it as an achievement and I will feel that I have achieved something big,” Vijender told rediff.com in an interview.

In order to have a great professional career, he needs to be on top of his game and maintain high level of fitness for years to come. The Indian boxer has the skills, but he needs to execute it as per plan, and use his strengths accordingly. Vijender needs all sorts of planning and skills to defeat his next opponent, Hope, who will depend on his experience to hand Vijender his first defeat.

“Of course, it will be a tough fight because my opponent has a lot of experience. I also have experience even though it is as an amateur. Boxing is boxing! I have seen his fights on Youtube and watched him closely and studied how he fights. I will face him in the ring and will give my best to get the better of him,” Vijender said.

Indian boxing fans are expected to come in huge numbers to support Vijender at the Thyagaraj Stadium in Delhi for the fight. The 2008 Olympic Games bronze medallist will be keen to put up a major show, defeating Hope and winning his first professional title.

Though Vijender is excited about his homecoming, the boxer will also be under pressure to deliver.

“It is a very big fight for me next month. It will be my first homecoming fight and I will be fighting for the Asia title. I am really excited to fight in front of my fans in India. It will be a great fight night and I am sure the title will be mine. I am giving my 100 percent in training because I want to win that bout and win it for my fans,” Vijender said.

“There will be some pressure, but there is excitement as well. It will be my first fight in India.”

www.m.ibtimes.co.in/vijender-singh-vs-kerry-hope-indian-boxer-excited-fight-india-wbo-asia-pacific-title-681617

  Vijender Singh’s opponent Matiouze Royer is from Bayonne in France and is a veteran of 44 fights with 14 wins. 

Indian boxing star Vijender Singh will take on experienced Frenchman Matiouze Royer in his fifth professional bout in London on April 30.

The unbeaten Indian, who has won all his previous four bouts via knockouts, will fight on the undercard of Billy Joe Saunders’ world title defence against Max Bursak at Stratford’s Copper Box Arena.

Royer, 29, is Vijender’s most experienced opponent to date. The six-footer from Bayonne in South West France is a veteran of 44 fights with 14 wins and has tested himself against top super-middleweight talent including WBO European Champion Jamie Cox who he lost out to on points back in 2013.

Royer has 250 gruelling rounds under his belt compared to Vijender’s nine.

Vijender, 30, will be eyeing victories on April 30 and at Bolton in May before setting his eyes on an Indian homecoming in June.

Undefeated Vijender claimed his fourth professional win at the Liverpool Echo Arena last month with a blistering fourth round stoppage of Hungarian Alexander Horvath.

“I’m thrilled to be fighting on the same card as the WBO World Middleweight Champion Billy Joe Saunders. Saunders is in the position that I want to be in one day, the middleweight champion of the world. It will be my first time fighting in the capital of England and I can’t wait to show the people of London my explosive power,” Vijender said.

“2016 is shaping up to be a massive year for me. I have a busy few months ahead of me and will be looking to carry on my KO streak with another big performance against Royer. He’s an experienced fighter so I’ll need to be at my very best to overcome him. Once I’ve dealt with him I’ll be looking ahead to my next date in Bolton before gearing up for my massive homecoming in India this summer,” he added.

Vijender’s India debut is scheduled for June 11 and he will be fighting for the WBO Asia Pacific title belt against a yet-to-be-named opponent.

 http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/vijender-singhs-next-pro-bout-schedule-for-april-30/#sthash.7lZpApky.dpuf

New Delhi: Unstoppable so far, star Indian boxer Vijender Singh will now gun for his maiden title in the professional circuit when he fights for the WBO Asia belt come June in front of home fans in the national capital.

The middleweight boxer, who earned worldwide fame by becoming India’s first Olympic and World Championships medallist at the amateur level, has exhibited rampaging form even in the pro arena.

Since his debut in the circuit last October, the 30-year -old from Haryana has won all his three pro contests via knockouts. His next bout is scheduled for March 12 in Liverpool, the opponent for which is yet to be named.

“I am already excited. My first title fight, that too in front of my own people, in my own country. It cannot get better than this. I have no idea who my opponent is going to be but I am sure I will carry on the way I have so far,” Vijender told from Manchester where he is currently training for the March 12 showpiece.

The venue for the Asia title bout could be the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, which will be examined by WBO officials on February 22.

“It’s the next level for him. He will fight for the WBO Asia title in June and a team of WBO officials will recce for venues in Delhi. The first venue to be checked out will be the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium,” Vijender’s India promoters, IOS Boxing Promotions’ MD Neerav Tomar said.

The WBO delegation, which will touch down in India on Saturday, comprises the body’s first vice-President John Duggan, Chairman Officials Michael Pernick, and referee Mark Nelson.

They will be joined by Vijender’s UK promoters Queensberry Promotions’ chief Francis Warren . Also there would be Benjamin Murphy, the Broadcasting Head of Boxnation — the official broadcasters of Vijender’s bouts in the UK.

“For the time being, Vijender will continue to train and fight in the UK. After his March 12 bout, which will be of six rounds, Vijender will fight two more bouts in April and possibly beginning of May. These two bouts will be eight-round affairs,” Tomar said.

“This will be followed by the Asia title bout in June which will be either 10 or 12 rounds in all,” he explained.  As for Vijender’s opponent, Tomar said it could either be a Chinese or a Korean.

“There will be a series of meetings to decide on who would be his opponent. Most probably, it would either be a Chinese or a Korean,” he said.

During their time here, the WBO officials will also explore avenues for promoting professional boxing in India at the grassroot level.

“The WBO officials will conduct a seminar for the Indian Boxing Council (IBC) on Sunday. There will be discussions onhow to take pro boxing to the grassroot levels,” Tomar said.

www.freepressjournal.in/vijender-to-fight-for-wbo-asia-title-in-india/784027