Now, a home challenge for Vijender
Brijesh Kumar Meena might not be as popular as Vijender, but he has the right credentials in pro circuit
NEW DELHI: Vijender Singh, the reigning WBO Asia Pacific super middleweight champion, is set to defend his title against Ernest Amuzu in Jaipur on Saturday. While the Beijing Olympics bronze medallist is probably into the last phase of cutting weight for the bout, another Indian pro in the category, who is ranked substantially higher than the Ghanaian whom Vijender is facing, is wondering when and how he will get a shot he deserves.
Brijesh Kumar Meena may not have had an illustrious career in the amateur ranks as Vijender, though he has represented India at international meets. However, the 26-year-old from Rajasthan, who turned pro in 2015, had won the WBC Asian Boxing Council silver super middleweight belt and is, like the senior, nine bouts old in the mix.
Just that Meena doesn’t have a perfect record — he has losses in his resume— nor does he have a belt around his waist at the moment because of factors outside the ring. “At the start of my career, I lost twice,” he says, before reiterating that he has scored seven knockout wins since then.
“The losses were by points in Thailand and Philippines against local fighters. Honestly, I believe I had won those fights,” adds Meena on the sidelines of the launch of Hope & Glory Boxing promotion in New Delhi. “I had to relinquish my belt because my previous promoter couldn’t find an opponent for the mandatory title defence for me. I will be fighting under Hope & Glory in their inaugural event, and the bout will be for the WBC Asia super middleweight title on February 10.”
Meena is not bothered about the past and treats the losses as a
learning experience. He is the No 2 super middleweight boxer in India and wants to change that status. “I want to bring up my ranking points a bit. I am sure of winning the next bout in February. Then I will officially challenge Vijender,” says Meena, who is ranked 76 in the world by www.boxrec.com, while Vijender is 49. Just for perspective, Vijender’s next opponent, Amuzu, is ranked 258th in the world.
The Vijender vs Meena bout, if it happens, will not just decide the top Indian in the division, but could also define Meena’s career. The young boxer knows the star value of Vijender and respects his credentials.
AKHIL, THE MENTOR
Credentials and credibility are dear for Akhil Kumar, Vijender’s former teammate and good friend. Hope & Glory, officially India’s second boxing promotion after Vijender’s representatives, IOS Boxing, has roped in Akhil as its brand ambassador and mentor of its grassroots programme, and Jitender Kumar as one of its fighters.
Meena and Jitender, famous for his heroics at Beijing Olympics where he lost in the quarterfinals, would be the new promotion’s biggest draw, while Akhil is out there to ensure Hope & Glory would nurture and push more Indian fighters. Akhil, who had a contract with IOS Boxing before cancelling it as the promoter was unable to get him the six bouts it had promised, has burnt his fingers in pro boxing. He is very particular this time around.
“Hope & Glory MD, Vikas Malik, has presented a plan to use the company not just to push a few stars, but to take pro boxing into areas where real talent is hidden,” says Akhil. “They have roped in 41 fighters, including women, and in the coming year, these boxers will get a chance to fight big. I will extend my support as a mentor and will also ensure that the boxing promoter sticks to its founding principle, which is to serve boxing and boxers, and not just a star or two,” adds Akhil.