Vijender Singh alleges bias in Rio wild card snub

Vijender Singh has questioned the International Boxing Association (AIBA)-appointed ad-hoc committee's decision to seek a Rio Olympics wild card entry only for MC Mary Kom, and not him.

Arguing why such a favour can't be accorded to the best male boxer in the country currently, the 2008 Beijing Games bronze medallist said no one in the committee including chairman Kishen Narsi was ready to listen to his case despite making several attempts to reach out.

The three-time Olympian, who turned professional last year, is busy preparing for his WBO Asia Pacific title bout on July 16 against Kerry Hope in the Capital.

Alleging bias by the committee, the former amateur World No. 1 felt that his plea should also be taken up with the AIBA as his stature is no less than the 2012 London Olympics bronze-medallist Mary Kom.

"Why can't there be a wild card entry for me? Why can't the ad-hoc committee demand the same for me from the AIBA? They are making every effort to get a wild card for Mary Kom despite the fact that she has not qualified for Rio. But in my case, there is a clear bias because no one in India is serious about my Olympic participation," Vijender said.

"I should also be given a chance if the rules have been relaxed by the AIBA for pro boxers to compete at Rio. I am a three-time Olympian and have fought in Commonwealth Games, Asian Games as well as World Championships," Vijender, who is currently in Manchester preparing for his fight against Hope, added.

Vijender said the boxing administrators in India haven't taken kindly to his decision of turning pro.

"It seems that I am no longer competing for India. The officials believe that since I have turned pro, I shouldn't have a chance of going to Rio. They feel they shouldn't help me because I no longer represent India in amateur boxing. I am fighting my professional bouts under the tri-colour. My name is announced as 'Vijender Singh from India'. All my victories in the pro circuit are for India. My Asian title bout will be for India," he said.

Meanwhile, Vijender's eagerly-anticipated WBO Asia title bout against Hope has garnered a lot of interest with fans grabbing all tickets that went on sale in the first phase.