At 32, boxer Vikas Singh is still nursing dreams of making it to the 2020 Olympics.
In an exclusive chat with Sportstar on Thursday, Vikas said he hopes the norm that would facilitate his qualification for the Olympics despite being in the pro-circuit continues. Vikas is in the city to compete in the ‘Club Fights’ pro-League, promoted by Red Corner Sports Promotions and scheduled this week-end here.
“Whatever I have achieved till now is secondary and nothing can beat the pride of being an Olympian,” said Vikas, who turned a pro-boxer a few years ago.
“I should be knowing about that six months before the Games and accordingly I will prepare myself,” he added.
“Yes, I have parallel plans as far as boxing career is concerned — continue to chase the the world title in cruiser weight in the pro-circuit and also hope to go to Olympics,” said Vikas.
'No regrets'
“I have no regrets in joining pro-boxing given the crisis which hit Indian boxing due to infighting in the national federation when for four years no team could compete abroad,” the former senior national champion said.
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Interestingly, Vikas, who was adjudged Asia’s ‘best boxer’ last year by WBC Asia, revealed that his next Asian challenger bout can well be in Hyderabad itself. “Yes, there are serious efforts to have that here,” he added.
The forthcoming ‘Club Fights’, according to Vikas, shouldn't be considered as a warm-up event for the Asian title fight. “But, it should help me improve my rating card in the circuit. And, I am confident of winning the Asian title,” Vikas, who is also an Income Tax inspector, said.
'Growing stature'
Vikas plans to make his debut in the U.S. He revealed the whole endeavour is to focus on training which should let him compete in 12 rounds; in comparison, the Asian title-fight features 10 rounds.
Vikas is all praise for the kind of support boxing is getting from the government though, he feels, something more needs to be done on the financial front for the boxers. “The fact that 13 Indians are in the semifinals in different categories of 20 events in the on-going Asian championship is proof of India’s growing stature in boxing,” Vikas concluded.
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