A cash bonanza awaits Indian boxers if they notch up medals at the London Olympics.
The Olympics bronze medallist will co-host 'The Contender', an adaption of a popular US television series that is based a group of boxers who compete against each other in a single elimination style competition.
Indian pugilists have a good chance of winning a medal at the Olympics, says Beijing hopeful Vijender Singh.
Olympic bronze medallist and middle weight (75kg) top seed Vijender Singh started his campaign in style, beating Kazakhstan's Azamat Belgibayev to enter the pre-quarterfinals of the World Boxing Championships in Milan, on Saturday. The 23-year-old world number two, who was conferred the Khel Ratna award last month, defeated his rival 14-8.
Indian boxing star Vijender Singh is ready to trade blows with Pakistan-born British professional Amir Khan and accepted his challenge to fight in India, saying it will prove to be a big boost to the sport in the country. Two-time former world champion, Amir, who has been training intensively for his much-anticipated WBC title contest against Mexico's Saul 'Canelo Alvarez want to fight against Vijender soon in India. Commenting on Amir Khan's challenge, Vijender said: "I accept the challenge of Amir Khan and I am sure this fight will be a big boost to boxing in our country. "As we both fight in different weight categories so will have to see whether Amir gains or I have to lose weight. I have started my professional boxing career last year only and have made only 4 appearances in the pro ring.
In a tweet shared by the Congress party, the 47-year-old is seen in various Aikido positions with Sensei Paritos Kar.
Against the more seasoned Francis Cheka, Vijender Singh faces a tricky battle that he is favoured to win.
The Indian government has established two expert committees aimed at elevating the country's sports performance.
With the country's boxing administration in a shambles, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) said on Wednesday that the top pugilists may not be able to compete in the upcoming Asian Games under the national flag if the elections are not held as per schedule next month.
Former European champion Kerry Hope was on Monday unveiled as Indian boxing star Vijender Singh's opponent for the eagerly-anticipated WBO Asia title bout to be held on July 16 in New Delhi.
Rediff.com recaptures these and other exciting sporting moments from the week gone by....
He hardly feels the burden of expectations that come with competing on home turf at the Commonwealth Games because India's World No 1 boxer Vijender Singh says he considers himself simply the best.
Vijender Singh speaks about his journey from humble beginnings in Kalwash village of Bhiwani district to becoming the only Indian boxer who will have the unique distinction of partaking in three Olympics.
Boxing star Vijender Singh is optimistic of resuming his currently on-hold career in the second half of the year. Vijender is contracted with Hall of Famer Bob Arum's Top Rank Promotions in the US, which has been ravaged by the deadly outbreak with the death toll nearing 10,000.
The International Boxing Association (AIBA) may have thrown the Olympic door open for professional boxers but it is unlikely that Indian star Vijender Singh would be able to grab the opportunity even though he is keen to make it. Professional boxers would be allowed to compete in the Olympic Games in August in Rio de Janeiro provided the decision is ratified at the AIBA Extraordinary Congress on June 1 when the proposal would be put to vote. The plan is to allow pro boxers qualify for Rio via the AIBA-affiliated World Series of Boxing (WSB) and AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) event. Both these events, originally scheduled for May, could be pushed back to last week of June to give national federations enough time to send their entries. "If given a chance, I would definitely try to qualify for the Olympics. Who would want to miss an opportunity if it is there," Vijneder told PTI from Manchester where he is training for his next pro fight on March 12 in Liverpool. However, the question is whether there is any realistic opportunity for him to give it a shot. The 30-year-old middleweight's schedule is sorted till June 11 when he will make his pro debut in India by fighting for his maiden title -- the WBO Asia belt.
If CAS rules in Vinesh's favour, she will be awarded a joint-silver in the women's 50kg freestyle category.
'If a person whom Vijender had thrashed earlier is now a World champion, why can't Vijender be champion now too?'
Eleven days of action have failed to bring India, that won a record six medals in London four years ago, a single podium finish and there's growing desperation to end this poor run.
Dipika Pallikal and Joshana Chinappa created history by winning the first-ever gold medal in squash but disappointment was in store for the four Indian boxers, including Olympic bronze winner Vijender Singh, who had to be content with a silver each in the 20th Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Saturday.
Dipika Pallikal and Joshana Chinappa created history by winning the first-ever gold medal in squash but disappointment was in store for the four Indian boxers, including Olympic bronze winner Vijender Singh, who had to be content with a silver each in the 20th Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Saturday.
Vikas, who has signed up with the legendary Bob Arum's Top Rank Promotions, made his debut in what was to be a six-round super welterweight contest. The bout, however, lasted just two rounds.
In Australian Kerry Hope, Vijender Singh faces a plucky opponent who has the potential to surprise the home favourite
Indian boxing star Vijender Singh's power-packed punches went unchallenged yet again as he notched up his fifth successive knockout win.
The 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medallist will be making his fifth Olympic appearance this year.
Three Indians, including World Boxing Council (WBC) Asian title-holder Neeraj Goyat, have registered for the International Boxing Association's (AIBA) Olympic Qualifying tournament for professional boxers scheduled to be held in Venezuela from July 3 to 8.
Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh (75 kg) and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Paramjeet Samota (+91 kg) are among the Indian elite men boxers selected for the Asian Continental Olympics Boxing Qualification tournament to be held at Astana, Kazakhstan from April 5-12.
Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain will step onto the scales a bit heavier at the Paris Olympics but feeling like a weight has been lifted from her shoulders.
'He has been in Bollywood movies, he has been in the Olympics three times, he has been all around the world fighting.' 'This is just another fight for Vijender and if you know the guy, he will fight like a champion.'
The election of Tytler as an AICC delegate drew strong reactions from Delhi's ruling AAP and the BJP, which said it exposed the opposition party's character of creating division and chaos in the country.
Former India football captain Baichung Bhutia was given the Lifetime Achievement award, while hockey legend and three-time Olympic gold medallist Balbir Singh Sr was honoured with the Icon of the Century award.
Coaching crisis, heartbreaks and Olympic setbacks mark a disastrous year for Indian boxing
Various personalities from the sports fraternity, on Tuesday, wished Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 69th birthday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, on Sunday, congratulated star India shuttler P V Sindhu for winning the Korea Open Super Series title in Seoul.
Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar has turned a year older.
Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh and Akhil Kumar will spearhead India's challenge at the World Elite Men's Boxing Championships to be held in Milan in September as a nine-member team for the event was announced, on Saturday. The selection committee of the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation picked the players for the 12-day event at a meeting on July 16 at National Institute of Sports in Patiala.
Fernandez evaluated India's chances at the upcoming Summer Games.
Mandaviya, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, and Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha unveiled the ceremonial outfit, playing kits, performance shoes and travel gear for the Indian team.
Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports led the tributes for the champion pugilist.
Amit Panghal holds the numero uno position with 420 points, according to the list released by the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Boxing Task Force
