My son does not have to be a boxer: Vijender Singh

Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh turned professional in 2015. Now he is “very excited” to shift to the US after being signed on by one of the biggest boxing promotional companies in the world, co-founded by Jabir Herbert Muhammad, the longtime manager of the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali.

“I have signed a multi-year deal with Top Rank and I am really excited to go to the USA. It is the mecca of boxing and a dream place for every boxer. It was my dream to fight in New York and I am going to make my debut there in February,” says the Padma Shri awardee.

Before moving to the US, Singh is staying with his family in Gurgaon. He wants to spend as much time as possible with his son, Abir Singh. “My son is five years old and he’s learning new things every day. I miss him a lot when I am away, so I’m spending a lot of time with him,” he says. Does he like boxing? “Sometimes. But strangely, whoever meets him, always asks him one question, ‘Dad jaisa banega na?’ My dad was a driver, I didn’t want to be like him and no one asked me if I’d be like my dad. I don’t want my kid to be like me either. He can create his own path and whatever he chooses, I’ll always be with him.”

Despite being on top of his game, Singh misses his old days — time he spent in his village in Haryana. He says, “I started from scratch. I belong to a small village in Haryana and I have grown up among cows and buffaloes. That was a different life, those were the best days of my life. I get a little emotional when I look back. When you have everything, name, fame and money, you miss your real life.”

Singh recollects certain incidents from his days of struggle with pride, which he says still give him courage. “While training in Bhiwani, I got the first cut of my life. It was above my eyebrows and the mark is still there. I went to the government hospital as it was a big cut. At first the nurse refused to treat me since she thought it was due to a brawl and asked me to file a police complaint. I explained everything to her and got my coach to talk to her. But they didn’t have anesthesia and she asked me to be brave. I held her hand tight for the stitches. That time was different, it could make anyone strong to deal with any situation. Now, players have physiotherapists and painless treatments,” signs off Singh.

Hamare time ki alag khhoobsurti thi, woh bahut raw tha. Wahan se nikla hua banda kahin bhi pahuch sakta hai. Now all is easy. VIJENDER SINGH BOXER

PHOTO: GOKUL VS/HT