Vijender Singh has had a solid start to his pro career, winning all six of his fights via knockout. The Indian boxer will be keen to deliver a similar performance when he faces Australia's Kerry Hope for the WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight Championship title on July 16. His trainer, Lee Beard, is confident that Vijender will emerge victorious with another knockout victory.
This fight is a special one for the 2008 Olympics bronze medallist, as he will be fighting for the first time in front of his fans in India -- at the Thyagaraj Stadium in New Delhi. His last six pro fights have all taken place in the UK. The boxer started with a four round-fight, which increased to six, and later to eight. But Vijender's seventh fight, for the title, will test his strength and endurance along with the ability to handle the pressure, as it will comprise of 10 rounds.
Vijender's fight with Hope is going to the biggest of his professional career so far. Beard has some plans for Vijender to beat Hope, who is an experienced boxer with 30 fights.
Vijender is aware of the tough task ahead of him. He has been sparring for longer hours and with different guys to be prepared for the huge bout.
"He is training very hard, he has been sparring 12 rounds with 3 different guys and also putting the strength and condition to work hard also," Press Trust of India quoted Beard as saying.
"We have of course been adjusting things to suit the southpaw opponent he is fighting in Kerry Hope, a very experienced operator and a fighter who has been involved in some big fights so him fighting Vijender in India won't faze him. We have been working on a number of things technically and I believe Vijender will knock out his opponent"
Despite the experience, which Hope possesses, Beard is confident of Vijender emerging victorious. It is no doubt a massive test for the undefeated boxer, who will need to come out all guns blazing right from the first round like has done in all of his previous fights. Besides possessing an extremely strong punch, Vijender has a solid defence, with his quick movements helping him to outshine opponents.
"Hope is a very experienced boxer but Vijender is very confident and self-assured. Vijender is going display how smart he is as a fighter and then the power Vijender has will also come out and he will win in style," Beard said.
