"I hear that Singh is a massive superstar in India. I'll be looking to send a brutal message back to his home when I beat him," Whiting said in a statement.
The wait's over. Vijender Singh's much-anticipated professional boxing debut will be against British pugilist Sonny Whiting in Manchester on October 10.
And no sooner had the announced been made than the war of words began.
"I hear that Singh is a massive superstar in India. I'll be looking to send a brutal message back to his home when I beat him," Whiting said in a statement.
Vijender was quick to return the salvo.
"Let him say what he wants, I don't like talking much. I prefer to talk through my punches in the ring. That's my style," Vijender said.
Much like Vijender, Whitling too is fairly new to the professional circuit. The Brit has fought three bouts so far in the middleweight division, and as a 2-1 win-loss record with one knockout victory.
"I know that it will not be an easy first fight. He (Whitling) has already had three fights so he'll be prepared and I hear that he wants to defeat me in my first pro fight. He won't beat me, I'm so focused and determined on what I have to do," he said.
The 29-year-old Vijender is training under renowned coach Lee Beard in Manchester for quite some time now, working on the subtle changes required for a pro boxer.
"It is getting very close to my professional debut now and I can't wait for it. I have trained very hard and diligently for this fight with Lee Beard who has been important in refining my style from the amateur way of fighting into the professional sport , which is totally different," Vijender said.
The 27-year-old Whiting, who trains under former pro-boxer Johnny Greaves, said the transformation from amateur to pro will be really hard for Vijender.
"He's entering the world of the professionals now and it's going to be hard for him. He might of done plenty in the amateurs but that will count for nothing now. I'll make sure I give him a good welcome," he said.
WHITING'S CAREER RECORD (as pro)
Bout Opponent Result Rounds
Jul 2014 James Child Won 4/4
November 2014 Dee Mitchell Lost 4/4
March 2015 Aaron Robinson Won 4/4
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