Vijender Singh faces Chinese test

Vijender Singh will arguably face the toughest test of his nascent professional boxing career when he trades punches with Zulpikar Maimaitiali of China in a Super Middleweight contest at the National Sports Club of India, here, on August 5.

Being dubbed as 'Battleground Asia', this will be Vijender's biggest fight so far as the current World Boxing Organisation's (WBO) Asia-Pacific champion will not only have his belt at stake, but will also vie for Maimaitiali's WBO Oriental Super Middleweight title.

To put it simply, this will be a unification bout, where the loser will hand over his belt to the winner, who will take both the belts home.

"This one is going to be an exciting title fight, not only is my title at stake but I will also be fighting for another title," Vijender said at the official announcement of the fight here on Tuesday.

"I am very passionate about boxing and I have an aim of winning a certain number of titles, which I will be completing at any cost," added the 31-year-old, who will be flying back to Manchester on Wednesday to resume training with his British trainer Lee Beard, before returning here one week before the bout.

Ever since he turned professional in June 2015, Vijender has had a near-flawless career, winning all of his eight bouts, seven of which have been through knockouts.

However, this is the first time that the former Olympic bronze medallist will be locking horns with an unbeaten boxer in Maimaitiali, who has also fought eight times, having six wins through stoppages besides being held to a solitary draw early on in his career.

It's perhaps this fact that he is on equal terms as far as professional boxing is concerned that the Chinese No. 1 believes he will end the home favourite's unbeaten streak come August 5.

"I will be fighting in India for the first time and I have heard a lot about Vijender Singh. He is unbeaten, I am going to break his streak of winning this time," Maimaitiali, all of 22, said. "I am the toughest challenger he has ever faced. I'm coming to snatch his title."

But, Vijender is not swayed by his opponent's words.

The veteran Haryana pugilist has faced similar situations many a time in his short professional career so far. Be it Alexander Horvath's strategy of wearing Vijender down mentally by "dining on snake blood" before their fight, or Francis Cheka's claims that "Vijender's Olympic medal is nothing", the Indian has preferred to steer clear of mind games and has let his punches do the talking.

And, this time will be no different. "I am not scared by all these things, these words are only mind games. You have seen people like him have challenged me earlier also, and the result is in front of you," Vijender said, nonchalantly.

"So, I will reply in the ring. Just wait for some time. We will show how India can do it. We will take the title. My title is not going anywhere. In fact, on 5th of August, I will be wearing two belts."

Asked if he has done any research on Maimaitiali's boxing style, Vijender said: "He is just a young kid. I didn't sea anything of him on YouTube or anywhere. I just discussed with my coach. He is got some belt. Okay, that's fine. But, he's very young... he's just started. He has had just eight fights."

But, the fact that his upcoming nemesis is a southpaw will certainly pose some new challenges for Vijender, whose only fight that went all the way was against a lefty, Kerry Hope of Australia.

Maimaitiali will, therefore, certainly be a tough opponent for Vijender. And, his trainer couldn't agree more.

"Zulpikar is a southpaw and will be tough nut to crack," said Beard, who is most famous to have been the assistant coach of Ricky Hatton.

"But I am confident with the kind of hard work Vijender is putting in, he will know how to tackle Zulpikar in the ring. We are looking forward to this fight," he added.

Only time will tell who will be the 'King of Asia'.