No glove lost for Vijender Singh

CHANDIGARH: When Vijender Singh won his maiden professional title in July this year, he dedicated it to Muhammad Ali and the people of India. Five months later, the 'Bhiwani Express' is ready to head home from Manchester to defend his WBO Asia-Pacific Super Middleweight belt.

Waiting for Vijender in the ring on December 17 at New Delhi will be

Francis Cheka

of Tanzania. The 5ft 8in pugilist has an impressive experience of 43 bouts, including 32 wins and 17 knockouts spanning across 16 years of professional career.

Cheka, the Intercontinental Super Middleweight champion, looks miles ahead on the comparison sheet. But Vijender is just a year old in the pro circuit with seven fights to his credit. And the 2008 Olympic bronze medallist is yet to be beaten. Talking to TOI, Vijender provided a sneak-peek into his preparations.

You won your maiden title in India, and now you will be defending it here as well. Goosebumps?

Definitely! It's my country, my people; they love me, I love them. I love to box in India. Last time the event went so well. That's why the organisers also asked why not do another showpiece in Delhi. So I will be back.

Your opponent Francis Cheka is already talking big...

Talk means nothing to me. When my punches start landing, his mouth will go shut. I believe in focusing on my training. That's more important. I don't think big words matter, performance does.

Cheka has been boasting about having fought 43 bouts, 300 rounds...

Ask him how many years he has been in the

pro boxing

. From 2000 to now, (he has fought) just 43 bouts. I may not have been a pro for that long, but I have amateur experience behind me. I can't even recall how many amateur bouts I have fought, and I have an Olympic medal too.

Many believe amateur experience doesn't help much in pro boxing. What's your take?

Of course, it helps. It's all about pressure and performance. I know how to handle professional fights. I am going 10-round now. It's more than a year for me (in pro boxing), but at times (in training) I go 15 rounds or 12 rounds. So it's about how you manage the fight. If it's a 10-round fight, then you should win at least six rounds. It's more about planning.

Your last opponent Kerry Hope was perhaps your toughest rival in seven professional fights. Where do you rate Cheka?

Both are good, both have experience and European titles. My journey will start getting tougher from here on. Cheka is the Intercontinental Super Middleweight champion, but December 17 will decide who is the best.