Vijender primed for Cheka test

Vijender Singh’s first professional bout in India had drawn considerable eyeballs but strangely the buzz is missing as he prepares for his second bout at home on Saturday.

The organisers, however, are confident that it will be a packed house when the Indian takes on Tanzania’s former world champion Francis Cheka at the Thyagaraj Stadium here.

In a short time, Vijender has gained a stature in professional boxing. The Indian is still to lose a bout. He has evolved his technique from the days of his amateur fights where he used to rely on his defence more. Now he has comfortably switched on to a more aggressive style and packed more power in his punches. 

This time, Vijender will be defending his WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight title which he earned by beating Australian Kerry Hope here in July.

Cheka is a veteran of 43 fights with 32 wins including 17 KOs. In a career spanning just under 17 years, he has tested himself against top super-middleweight talent including former WBA world champion Fedor Chudinov.

“Cheka is a highly-experienced boxer, he has many bouts under his belt but I am younger, stronger and hungrier,” said Vijender.

“He is coming to my homeland to take what is mine but I won’t let this happen. The Thyagaraj Stadium is my patch now and I’m expecting another huge crowd to come and support me.”