New Delhi: India’s ace boxer Vijender Singh will face Australian Kerry Hope, a former Middleweight European Champion and WBO Asian Boxing Council Middleweight title holder for WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight title at Thyagraj Sports Stadium in New Delhi on July 16.
This was announced by Neerav Tomar, MD IOS Boxing Promotions, and Francis Warren, Promoter, Queensberry Promotions, here on Monday.
This event will also feature other prominent Indian boxers in a thrilling fight card to be announced soon. World Boxing Council (WBO) and Indian Boxing Council (IBC) will jointly conduct the technical aspect of the Boxing Championship. Star Sports is the official broadcast partner and will live telecast the championship.
The 30-year-old ex-amateur world no 1, who won bronze at the 2008 Olympic Games, is undefeated in six fights with six knockouts in only 17 rounds of action since his pro debut last October and aims to take out Kerry Hope next month during his first pro fight in India in front of the home crowd.Vijender Singh who is confident of winning his first title fight at home said, “It’s an absolute dream for me to fight in front of my home crowd and finally this moment is just a month away. I am eagerly waiting for my title fight wherein I will get a lot of support and cheer from my countrymen. I have put in a lot of hardwork in the last six knockout wins and I am gearing up to remain unbeaten in my seventh fight and win the first big Pro Title for my country”.
“Kerry is an experienced opponent, maybe he will give me a few new tests. He has done more rounds than me and fought in title fights, but will that compete with the power that I have and when I start landing my shots I don’t believe he will be standing around for too long. I am really excited for this fight and will be working physically and mentally harder in the next one month before this title fight” said Vijender Singh.
Former European Middleweight Champion and the current WBC Asian Boxing Council middleweight title holder Kerry Hope from Australia, comes into the title fight against Vijender Singh with an impressive record of 23 wins from 30 fights. The 34- year old Southpaw has an edge in experience over Vijender with 183 rounds under his belt and has threatened to stop the winning streak of Bhiwani boy next month.
Competing in his first fight of 2016, Kerry Hope is confident of beating Vijender Singh in front of his home crowd "I'm looking forward to the big title fight in India. Six before me have tried and failed to beat Vijender so now I will finally end his hope of winning a title. Everyone who has gone into the ring with him seem like they are a rabbit in headlights. I have seen nothing from Vijender Singh that worries me or causes any sleepless nights so I am fully confident going into the fight and ready to knock him out. I hope that his chin is ready for the punches that I will be landing on them because for once he will be put under a real test by me”.
Neerav Tomar, MD IOS Boxing Promotions said “This will be a historic event, not only for India but for the World boxing fraternity and sport, as we put India firmly on the map as a force in boxing. 16 July will be the day for which boxing fans of our country are waiting for. I am sure this event will be a big boost for Indian boxing and will open roads for other boxers who are keen to turn professional. We promise the people of Delhi an high adrenal boxing show”.
Francis Warren, Promoter Queensberry said “I am both delighted and proud to be delivering Vijender Singh this opportunity to fight in his nation’s capital for the WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight Championship. Vijender has worked relentlessly in the gym and has amassed a perfect 6-0 record in 7 months, and we feel the time is perfect to seize the opportunity for challenge for a world title. This victory will put Vijender in the top 15 in the WBO rankings and will continue his development perfectly. I believe that within 12-18 months Vijender will be challenging for a World Title, and this is the next step towards that goal”.
John P Duggan, First Vice-President World Boxing Organisation (WBO) who is currently in US said “I wish goodluck to IOS Boxing Promotions for Boxing Championship to be held on July 16 in Delhi”.
Brig. Muradharan Raja, President IBC said “Vijender’s fight will be watched by millions of Indians and all the boxers as well as boxing fans in the country. Vijender will motivate other young boxers to follow in his footsteps and become world champions one day. I wish goodluck to Vijender for his WBO Asia Pacific Championship Title”.
