I want to remain unbeaten for 40-45 fights: Vijender Singh

Three knockout wins in your first three professional bouts. You must be a satisfied man...
I'm not satisfied. It's just the beginning. It's just the first three fights. If you see great boxers, they have remained unbeaten for 40-45 fights. I want to be there. These are just small steps towards that. There's still a long road that I need to walk.

Did you expect to have this kind of a beginning when you switched to pro boxing?
Not at all. Never. But I always knew that if I put in some real hard work, everything can be possible. There were lots of people who spoke about my decision of turning pro. Lots of people criticised me. Some people also used bad language against me in the social media. But I knew from within that if you do the right thing, God is always there to help you. If you work hard, everything is possible. I don't believe in the word 'impossible' in life. You can achieve anything if you are willing to put everything towards it.

You talk of criticism. But now when you sit back, do you feel you've answered all the skeptics?
Look, I don't care about what people say, whether it's good or bad, whether it's in the media or outside. I just put my head down and do my job. I know people appreciate you when things are going right, and bring you down when they're not. So I ignore all that.

How has the response to your pro boxing career been back in England – among fans and even your opponents?
Everyone is really excited over there. I can't tell you the number of calls I got from the Indian community, and even from some Indian officials who are there. People invite me to a lot of events and other things when I'm in Manchester. People are excited about the fact that I'm doing what I am over there.
Even common people on the street. Like a taxi guy told me the other day, 'I've seen you somewhere. You're the guy who fights, right?' I said yes. So that's the kind of buzz there.

That must give you a lot of motivation when you fight, isn't it?
Of course. There were people who came from India just to watch my third fight (in Manchester), from places like Faridabad, Gurgaon, Delhi. I met all of them after the fight. And they told me 'Vijender, we've come here just for you'. People even came from London, Leichester, Liverpool. I can't name every city (laughs). When you enter the ring and there are people shouting 'India, India' even in Manchester, it's a different feeling. Bahut mazaa aata hai (it's a lot of fun).

Your trainer Lee Beard said he has seen a lot of boxers around the world, but none with the kind of passion you have. Where does that passion come from?
It's difficult to explain that in words, honestly. I think one should learn from experiences. I've fought so many bouts in my amateur career, be it fighting for a medal at the Olympics or at the World Championships. I learnt a lot from those fights. I'm 30, and I can now say that I have the experience. I'm surviving in pro boxing only because of that.

Before your fights, you sound like you've already won. Are you truly that confident before every fight?
Yes. 100 per cent. It's because I meditate. I don't do it a lot, but I do it whenever I'm all by myself. It's like visualising before the fight. I visualise myself entering the ring, the song playing loudly as I stare at my opponent. So, it's like you've already seen everything beforehand, and thus I know exactly what's going to happen inside the ring. Also, if you know you've worked hard from the bottom of your heart, you will be confident. If you haven't, no matter how much you try to show it, you won't be.

So even if you're up against a great boxer, let's say Floyd Mayweather, you'll have the same level of confidence?
Absolutely. Confidence is the first step, isn't it? If you're not confident about yourself, I don't think you can ever become a champion. I always think of becoming a champion. If you don't walk into the ring feeling confident about yourself, your opponent will feel he can beat you. It can be seen in your face.

You've started your pro career with a bang. But now there will be pressure on you to maintain that level in your future fights, isn't it? People's expectations will also go up...
Yes, of course. It's not easy. It's boxing. It is very difficult for me to maintain this level. But I'm sure I can sustain it, because I always give my 100 per cent at any stage of my career, be it in the training or in the ring. I have no doubt that I will maintain my performance even in the future.
Look, I've opened the door for the young boxers. Irrespective of how my future fights will be now, I've opened a new market for Indian boxers and fans. And I'm sure they will love it. But there will be pressure on them, because I've taken the first step, and now it's their responsibility to take it forward.

You're in India till the first week of January. Glad to be back with your family and friends?
I just reached today (Monday) morning. I've only slept after that, and then went for my workout. I won't stop working out. I don't believe in parties or anything. I believe in working. And after working, I love sleeping. But there's one thing I'm really looking forward to, and that is to see sun tomorrow (Tuesday) morning. I'd love to take a sun bath (laughs). It's very cold in Manchester. I haven't seen sun in a long time.