Vijender Singh, the Beijing Olympics bronze medallist, is ready to take the plunge into professional boxing, says a report in Hindustantimes, adding that after Indian boxing's poster boy makes the move, he will no longer be able to represent the country.
According to the report, the development has not suprised boxing watchers because the Haryana pugilist has been wanting to move over to the professional ranks. The 29-year-old who has dabbled in Bollywood and also been a judge on TV reality show MTV Roadies X2 will not be the first Indian boxer to turn pro, but his move will be the most significant.
According to a report in The Indian Express Vijender is close to turning professional and has signed up for reputed British boxing promoter Francis Warren. An announcement is expected on Monday at a press conference in London.
Vijender had been given green signal to train at Queensberry Promotions, owned by Warren, from June 25 to July 12 by chief coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu. He was to rejoin the camp on July 13 and also take part in the selection trials for the Asian Championships on July 14. However, the coaches and federation officials back home are completely in the dark. “He had informed us that he will train in the UK at his own expense. But we are not aware of his plans to turn pro,” Sandhu said.
Vijender’s father Mahipal Singh Beniwal too declined to comment. “Yes, he has gone to England for training. But he is the right person at this moment to tell about all this. Whatever development happens, Vijender will tell all after he comes from England. He is big enough to make his own decisions,” Beniwal said.
