Vijender Singh, who made a fine start to his professional career by defeating Sonny Whiting, is confident of registering a victory in his second pro bout against Dean Gillen on 7 November in Dublin. The fight was originally scheduled for 30 October, but was changed for some technical reasons.
The bout has also been referred as the "Battle of the Badges", for Vijender is a Deputy Superintendent with Haryana Police and Gillen is a Nottingham firefighter, which makes the fight even more interesting with their pride being served on the line as well.
The Indian boxer is confident of defeating Gillen, who has won his first two fights in his pro career. Gillen has defeated Shaun White and Lewis Van Poetsch in his last two bouts. Gillen, like Vijender, is also new in the pro boxing circuit.
"He (Gillen) will face his first defeat against me," The Stateman quoted Vijender as saying.
The task is not going to be easy for Vijender, but if the Indian boxer bouts the way he did against Whiting, the former Olympian has a good chance to start his career with two straight victories.
Vijender, who took a huge leap from an amateur to the professional level, is taking his training very seriously under the watchful eyes of trainer Lee Beard.
Beard also played an important role in helping Vijender go into his first fight in perfect shape. it is under Beard that Vijender is learning the much-required technique at the professional level.
"I played as per my basics (against Whiting) and whatever I was taught by my coach Lee Beard," said Vijender.
Though the boxer received criticism for giving up his amateur level and going pro, Vijender wants young guns from India to take up pro boxing as it has fame, money and more professionalism.
"Although amateur boxing is very different from professional boxing but I would still recommend the young players to turn professional as this format has money, fame and more professionalism," he said.
"Many including my coaches were against this (joining pro boxing) but nothing comes easy in life. You need to work hard to achieve your targets and that's what I am doing. I am happy with my decision and I will prove my critics wrong."
