Mumbai: Vijender Singh said on Wednesday that he felt no additional pressure before his first home professional bout against Australia's Kerry Hope for the WBO Asia Pacific super middleweight title, but only a sense of responsibility for the future of the sport in the country.
"I think there is no pressure (but) more responsibility because this fight will decide what is the future of pro boxing in India. People are excited and would be coming to see the fight," the 2008 Olympic Games bronze-medallist said here.
"Of course I will give my 100 per cent, I have to win the fight, that's an important part, but there is no pressure, only responsibility," said the 30-year-old.
Vijender was on a visit in Mumbai to promote the July 16 fight in Delhi, along with actor John Abraham.
Vijender, who had won his first six professional fights inside the distance, is up against an opponent, who brings with him the experience of 30 bouts, of which he has won 23, out of which two were by knock-outs.
Exuding confidence, Vijender said, "He is a southpaw (left-hander) and a very experienced guy. I spoke to (my) coach. We will take him, it's not that difficult, don't worry.
"I don't want to say anything before the fight. He has experience, I know that his record is 35 or something. But I have an Olympic medal. I won medals in the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games. Hence I can defeat him and I know that."
The Welsh-born Hope, who emigrated to Australia, was also a WBC middleweight champion and has moved a division up to super middleweight to take on Vijender.
On fighting for the belt for the first time, Vijender said, "After this I will come in the league, my ranking will be 15 in the world and then it's going to be like going for the world title fight -- slowly, may be next year or after that," he said.
Post the Delhi fight, Vijender is planning to go to Rio to lend his support to the three Indian boxers who have qualified for the Olympics in different weight categories - . Shiva Thapa (56kg), Manoj Kumar (64kg) and Vikas Krishan.
"I will go to the Rio Olympics (to support other Indian boxers), after this fight," said Vijender, who lost in the quarter finals of the London Olympics and participated in the Athens Games in 2004.
Concerned about the state of Indian boxing right now, Vijender said action should be taken against those who are responsible for the current logjam due to which only three pugilists from the country have qualified for the Olympics.
"This is really bad and I think we should take strong action (against) those who are responsible for this. Last time eight boxers, this time three boxers," Vijender said.
(PTI)
