Vijender Singh Turns Professional Boxer, Will Miss 2016 Rio Olympics

Vijender Singh poses after signing a multi-year promotional agreement with Queensberry Promotions. (Image courtesy: Queensberry Promotions)

Vijender Singh, the superstar of Indian amateur boxing, has now turned professional. The announcement for this lucrative deal was signed at a star-studded media conference in London on Monday.(Vijender Pulls Out of National Games)

Vijender, the 2008 Beijing Olympics bronze medallist, has signed a multi-year promotional agreement with Queensberry Promotions through IOS Sports & Entertainment, that will see the talented middleweight fight a minimum of six times in the first year as he looks to herald in a new era for Asian boxing. He will miss the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics.(Vijender Denies Wanting Padma Bhushan)

Speaking on the landmark deal Neerav Tomar, MD & CEO of IOS Sports & Entertainment said: “It’s an historic moment for Indian boxing with Vijender turning pro. He’s a top fighter and is extremely motivated to train hard and perform. Vijender will be the flag bearer for a nation of over billion people.”

A thrilled Vijender Singh said, “I’m excited to turn pro and looking forward to the new chapter of my life. I want to train hard and perform for my country at the global level. My immediate goal will be to work hard and make a good boxing record in the next year or so.”

Mr. Francis Warren, son of the International Boxing Hall of Fame promoter, commented, “I’m very excited to have brought such a talented and determined individual over to the UK and can’t wait to see what Vijender is capable of doing in the professional ranks after achieving so much as an amateur,”

“After spending the past week with him in Manchester, there is no doubt in my mind that he has what it takes to be a very successful professional boxer, not only due to his undoubted natural talent, but also due to his drive and focus. He has a clear idea of what he wants to achieve and I am over the moon that he will be doing that with Queensberry Promotions and BoxNation.”

Queensberry has to its credit of promoting over 40 professional boxers including 20 Champions and boasts of names like Hamed, Bruno, Tyson, Calzaghe, Benn, Collins, Eubank, Khan and Hatton.

Arguably one of India’s most successful amateur boxers ever, a sensational career has seen Vijender win Silver at the 2006 and 2014 Commonwealth Games; bronze at the 2006 Asian Games, 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2009 World Amateur Championships and 2010 Commonwealth Games; Gold at the 2010 Asian Games, and rated as the world’s number one middleweight in 2009.

His Bronze medal victory in Beijing was a landmark event in India’s rich sporting history as it was the nation’s first ever boxing medal in the Games and he is credited for the incredible surge in boxing’s popularity in his home country since.

The 29-year-old from Bhiwani, a state in Haryana, India, will now base himself in Manchester, England, under renowned trainer Lee Beard, who has previously worked with British boxing legend Ricky Hatton.