Vijender to take on China’s Maimaitiali
Star professional boxer and Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh will clash with China’s undefeated, left-handed fighter Zulpikar Maimaitiali for a double title fight in Mumbai on August 5.
Vijender, who is WBO Asia Pacific middleweight champion, will take on Zulpikar, the WBO Oriental Super Middleweight Champion, at the NSCI Stadium in Worli, it was announced at a media conference in the presence of the Indian star.
Beijing Olympics bronze medallist Vijender has been practising in Manchester, England, along with his trainer Lee Beard for the bout, the first ticket of which was presented to cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar at the latter’s house by the boxer himself.
In this fight, the two boxers will put their respective WBO titles at stake and whoever wins the bout will take home his defended title along with his opponent’s too, it was announced.
Three other Indian pugilists Akhil Kumar, Jitender Kumar and Neeraj Gayat will be seen in the ring, taking on international opponents, whose names will be declared later, on the fight day and it will be 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games gold medallist Akhil’s debut bout as a pro.
Apart from them, three other Indian boxers — Pardeep Kharera, Dharmender Grewal and Kuldeep Dhanda — will also take on international boxers, whose names will be announced on the fight day.
“I am all set for the August 5 bout. He (Zulpikar) is just a young kid, a southpaw. When he said that he will knock me out, I was laughing. We will show China that we are the best,” the 31-year-old Vijender said.
“My training is in great shape. I will again go to Manchester tomorrow and start my training. I will come here (to Mumbai) a week before the fight,” the pugilist added.
Fight organisers IOS Boxing Promotions said they had initially planned the fight in MarchApril, but it could not happen.
Zulpikar expressed confidence of winning, saying he will knock Vijender down.
He has eight bouts against his name, the same as Vijender.
Zulpikar has scored five knockouts wins and has fought 24 rounds. He turned pro in April 2015.