Vijender Singh aims to down Zulpikar Maimaitiali

Mumbai: After a wait of over seven months, Vijender Singh is ready for his ninth professional bout. The 31-year-old Olympic bronze medallist will take on 23-year-old China’s no. 1 boxer Zulpikar Maimaitiali in the main fight of the night in an effort to keep his unbeaten record on track.

Vijender lost two kilos overnight to be within the limit of 76.2 kgs. He weighed 76 kg at the official weigh-in ceremony on Friday while his opponent was 75.9 kgs.

“Last night I checked my weight it was 78 and I had to be 76.2, so I did not eat anything. My weight is 76 today; I desperately want to eat something. I will very much focus on diet from here and put on some weight,” he said.

Vijender made it clear that losing weight overnight doesn’t necessarily mean loss in power.

“I am 82-83 usually and I know how to lose weight. I am used to it now. Tomorrow, you will see the power in my punches,” he added.

Vijender admitted the Indo-China rivalry has given the fight new dimension but felt once you step in the ring, it remains just a sport.

“I am aware of tensions on the border and will affect the bout but once you are in the ring it is just a sport. I am very confident and hope that the fight will be good and India will win,” he said.

Vijender said he had made certain changes in his technique while working in Manchester along with his trainer Lee Beard to tackle his southpaw opponent.

“I have changed my technique. I will try to control the game and assess his game. I will set my game according to his approach,” he said.

Zulpikar said he would show Vijender his value.

“I have been training really hard and I know I am completely prepared to knock him out.”

It will be the double title fight between WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight champion Vijender and WBO Oriental Super Middleweight champion Maimaitiali. The concluding fight of ‘Battleground Asia’ by IOS Boxing Promotions will be preceded by seven more fights of which four will be telecasted live from 6.30 pm onwards.

The live fights include pro boxing debut fights of former Olympians Akhil Kumar (junior welterweight), and Jitender Kumar (lighweight).