After Beijing Olympic fireworks, Akhil, Jitender to turn professional

NEW DELHI: Eight years after they made waves at the Beijing Olympics, two of Indian boxing's most celebrated names -- Akhil Kumar and Jitender Kumar -- are set for a comeback to the ring by turning professional.

The two boxers, both of whom are Commonwealth Games and Asian Championships medallists, are close to finalising a deal with Infinity Optimal Solutions (IOS), who are India promoters of the reigning WBO Asia Pacific champion Vijender Singh.

The two boxers are awaiting permission from their current employers the Haryana Police -- to officially take the plunge like Vijender, who is also a DSP with Haryana Police.

"Everyone who has followed Indian boxing knows the kind of impact Akhil made in changing the face of the sport. His style, aggression and unabashed passion for fighting for the nation endeared him to one and all," IOS CEO and Managing Director Neerav Tomar told PTI.

The two would, in fact, be making their professional debut alongside Vijender in a fight night being planned in the next two months in India.

Vijender, unbeaten in the circuit with 7 wins, is currently based in Manchester but made a smash-hit homecoming in July by winning the WBO title.

Akhil, who has to his credit a Commonwealth Games bantamweight gold medal, was Indian boxing's reigning star heading into the 2008 Beijing Olympics where he stunningly defeated the then world No.1 Sergey Vodopyanov before losing in the quarterfinals.

Boxing history was made for India in those Games with Vijender winning the middleweight bronze medal, a first for an Indian pugilist.