When will Vijender fight for real?
UNEQUAL The gulf between the world ranking of the Indian and Ernest Amuzu hints at another possible mismatch
NEWDELHI: An unbeaten record is something a professional boxer cherishes with his dear life and Vijender Singh is no different. However, when maintaining that run involves taking on below par or over-the-hill opponents, it not just jeopardises the reputation of the boxer, but puts the sport into disrepute too.
It’s about time Vijender, the WBO Asia-pacific Super Middleweight champion, realised that, even as the wheels of another farce-of-a-bout is set into motion. The 32-year-old will take on Ernest Amuzu of Ghana in the tenth bout of his career in Jaipur on Saturday, and, in all likelihood, Vijender’s unbeaten record would remain intact.
DUBIOUS CREDENTIALS
Amuzu has a record of 23 wins and two losses, with 21 knockouts under his belt. But then, pro boxing numbers – with all its shady match-making -- can be deceptive and Amuzu’s record turns out to be hollow.
The 34-year-old boxer is not even No 1 in Ghana. In fact, he is ranked No 7 in the Super Middleweight division in Ghana by www.boxrec.com, one of the recognised websites that ranks pro boxing.
There is more to the farce.
RANK OUTSIDER
Amuzu, touted as the African champion by the organisers of the fight christened “Rajasthan Rumble”, is not a continental champ either. The WBO Africa title holder is Ghanaian world No 4 Habib Ahmed.
Neerav Tomar of IOS Boxing, the promoters of Vijender, clarified to Hindustan Times that describing Amuzu as “African champion” was “just for reference for the fight”.
At Boxrec (which ranks boxers across all pro-boxing organisations), Vijender is ranked 49 and Amuzu a lowly 258.
Vijender was ranked No 7 in the world by WBO in November, while Amuzu’s is not in the top 15! No surprises there.
But what’s beyond comprehension is why Vijender is having trouble attracting worthy opponents. He should, ideally,
Debut vs Sonny Whiting (GB) at Manchester Arena, UK Won by TKO in third round
vs Dean Gillan (GB) at National Stadium, Dublin
Won by KO in first round
vs Samet Hyuseinov (Bulgaria) at Manchester Arena by TKO in second round
vs Alexander Horvath (Hungary) at Echo Arena, Liverpool Won by KO in third round
vs Matiouze Royer (France) at Copper Box Arena, London Won by TKO in fifth round
vs Andrzej
Soldra (Poland) at Macron Stadium, Bolton Won by TKO in third round
vs Kerry Hope (Australia) at Thyagaraj Stadium, New Delhi Won by unanimous decision (10 rounds) to capture the WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight belt
vs Francis Cheka (Tanzania) at Thyagaraj
Stadium, New Delhi
Won by TKO in third round
vs Zulpikar Maimaitiali at Sardar
Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium, Mumbai Won by unanimous decision (10 rounds) to capture the WBO Oriental Super Middleweight belt be fighting someone in the top 10.
MISMATCHES
A glance at Vijender’s career would expose the quality of the fighters he has beaten to build a 9-0 record. Of course, it is understandable that at the start of a pro career one needs wins – good or bad – to establish a reputation, before chasing top dogs.
Vijender’s initial bouts went by that script. From his debut against Sonny Whiting, to his Won fourth opponent, Alexander Horvath, one could understand the choice.
But judging by the way things have gone after that, it seems Vijender is either unable to get good opponents, or has got used to the comfort of taking on fighters against whom he has a distinct advantage.
Tomar of I OS Boxing explained the situation.
“There is a mandatory title defence within six months of winning it,” he said. “So Vijen- der had to defend his WBO belt. And our match-makers found the bout vs Amuzu as a good fight. We are expecting a good fight as Amuzu is experienced. WBO has approved it, which means they are fine with the quality of the match-up.
“We will definitely have a big fight next March and Vijender will be trying to get fights with higher-ranked opponents. We have to take one step at a time. Also in boxing, one has to match the commercials with potential fighters. That’s a tough job too, especially with the bigger fighters,” added Tomar.
Vijender has solid technique no doubt, and his Olympic bronze medal in Beijing 2008 was no fluke.
But with the opponents he is currently taking on, he is neither doing justice to his abilities as a boxer, nor to the reputation of pro boxing. In fact, one is forced to question his heart as a fighter now, if not his technical credentials.