Vijender Singh vs Kerry Hope is literally a million dollar fight, but for the Indian, it's as simple as the hare and tortoise lesson he learnt as a kid
Vijender Singh during his International Middleweight contest against Sonny Whiting of Great Britain in Manchester on October 10, 201
New Delhi: Slow and steady wins the race. And for India's poster boy of boxing, Vijender Singh, this lesson could prove to be his life's biggest when he makes his professional boxing debut on home soil against Australian Kerry Hope for the WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight Championship at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex here tomorrow.
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Vijender Singh during his International Middleweight contest against Sonny Whiting of Great Britain in Manchester on October 10, 201
It's a million dollar fight quite literally, but for the Indian boxer, it's as simple as the hare and tortoise lesson he learnt as a kid.
Vijender (30) has comfortably won six out of six fights since turning professional last June, but none has been a marathon 10-round competition. This duration is what could set tomorrow's title battle apart given Hope, four years Vijender's senior, has been competing in 10-rounders for over half a decade.
However, Vijender has a clear mantra for success. "I will take it slow and steady… slow and steady will win the fight for me," he told mid-day here yesterday on the sidelines of a promotional shoot for Saturday's title showdown.
'Attack first' strategy
One of India's most successful amateur boxers, having won medals at the Olympics, Asian Games, CWG and World Championships, Vijender, like all other India boxers, has been bred on the 'attack first' strategy which is key in the amateur version, where points collection across three three-minute rounds, is the sole motive.
Kerry Hope celebrates his victory over Greg Proksa in Sheffield on March 17, 2012 Pics/Getty Images
Professional boxing, though, is a different ball game. Smaller gloves for better impact means one has to hit the opponent hard and maintain stamina throughout.
Vijender began his pro career just like any other amateur – attacking first-up leading to five of his six wins being inside the first three rounds. However, his meticulously worked out fifth round win over Frenchman Matiouze Royer on May 2 proved that the Indian can play the waiting game too. And that's what he plans to do on Saturday.
"In amateur boxing, you go out there, hit the guy fast, score points and it's over. But in pro boxing, you have to hang in there. You have to take it easy at the start and that's what I'm going to do against Kerry. I'll wait and watch for the first two or three or even four rounds. After all, I have to last 10 rounds, if needed," added the Bhiwani boxer.
Keeping the stamina factor in mind, Vijender's trainer Lee Beard has been pitting his ward against numerous boxers in a single session. "Lee just puts three, four guys in the ring against me. For every three rounds a new guy crops up and I end up fighting four guys at one go. So I'm prepared for anything," said the Haryanvi fighter.
All said and done, there is a slight possibility that patience will take a back seat given the vociferous crowd support expected. And the boxer admits the adrenaline rush might see his opponent knocked out early.
"My pro fights so far have all been abroad so I've hardly had an crowd support. But here, with so many fans yelling for me and India, you never know, I might just go for the kill sooner," he signed off.
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