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Rediff.com  » Sports » Vijender set for US debut; to work with Mike Tyson's trainer

Vijender set for US debut; to work with Mike Tyson's trainer

March 06, 2019 14:24 IST
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Hall of Famer Freddie Roach has produced over 36 World champions till date including Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, Oscar de La Hoya and Mike Tyson.

Vijender Singh

IMAGE: Vijender Singh, right, with trainer Freddie Roach.

India's boxing sensation and undefeated super middleweight contender Vijender Singh is set to begin the next phase of his career with a new trainer -- Hall of Famer Freddie Roach -- in his corner.

 

The 33-year-old Vijender Singh recently relocated his training base to Los Angles where he will train at the World famous boxing club 'The Wild Card Boxing Club' in Hollywood CA under legendary coach Freddie Roach -- a 2012 International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) inductee.

In his 32 years of career as a trainer Freddie is widely regarded as one of the best boxing coaches of all time.

He has produced 36 World champions including the likes of eight-division World champion Manny Pacquiao, five-time and four-division world champion Miguel Cotto, former WBC Middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., defensive master and three-time World champion James Toney, multiple world champion Oscar de La Hoya, former UFC Middleweight and eleven-time Welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre. He has also trained former junior Welterweight champion Amir Khan.

Roach has also worked with a number of MMA greats including Anderson Silva, Georges St. Pierre, Tito Ortiz and BJ Penn.

Vijender Singh

IMAGE: Vijender Singh during a training session.

Vijender will make his ring return on April 12 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles in a scheduled eight-round bout on the Vasiliy Lomachenko-Anthony Crolla undercard against an opponent to be named. The iconic Staples Center which is also the home ground of LA Lakers and has a capacity of 8000.

"I am thrilled to start my training under such a legendary figure in world boxing," Vijender Singh said. "It's a great honor for me to train with Freddie, who has already trained the likes of so many world champion boxers. Professional boxing in United States is of the highest level, and I believe Freddie is the right guy to bring the best out of me. I look forward to showing the boxing fans a new and improved Vijender Singh. I know that with Freddie's guidance, I can become a World champion."

"I believe Vijender has the talent and the dedication to become a World champion," Freddie Roach said. "He has a great amateur background, a style that will give any super middleweight in the world problems, and power in both hands."

"Vijender represents the most populous country in the world," said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. "We believe that with Freddie in his corner, Vijender will become a major star and open up the great country of India to boxing."

Vijender made a dream start to his Pro Boxing career, having gone undefeated in his first 10 bouts, including seven knockouts.He is the first Indian boxer to capture an Olympic medal when he took bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He is currently the WBO Asia Pacific and Oriental Supermiddleweight champion.

In his last fight, Vijender defeated African champion Ernest Emuzu in Jaipur to defend both the titles. The Indian boxing ace will be making his American debut on April 12. No Indian boxer has ever won a professional world title, and Singh, with Roach in his corner, hopes to make history yet again.

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