Since turning pro in 2015, Vijender was unbeaten till last March with an enviable 12-0 record, including eight knockouts. But that changed in March last year, when his winning run was brought to an unceremonious end by Russia's Artysh Lopsan via a technical knockout in Goa. "Record toh bante hi tutne ke liye hain.
(Records are meant to be broken) It is all part of the game," an upbeat Vijender told PTI. As he gears up for his next fight against the reigning national West Africa Boxing Union champion, Ghana's Eliasu Sulley on August 17, Vijender's mantra is simple: remove all thoughts of the previous bouts. "I always fight like it's my first fight.
When I start training I'm just like a blank slate, I learn everything again. I listen to what my coaches tell me and start over," the 2008 Beijing Olympics bronze medallist said. Frustrated by the lack of competition and COVID-19 restrictions, Vijender had arranged the bout with Lopsan.
Fighting for the first time in 16 months, he had to do without his team which included trainer Lee Beard. The British boxing trainer, who has trained professional stars like Ricky Hatton, has been guiding Vijender since the start of his professional career. Under his tutelage, the Haryana lad clinched the WBO Asia Pacific and Oriental super middle-weight titles.
However, Lee could not travel to India because of the COVID-19 restrictions. Vijender, who delivered India's first Olympic and men's world championship medals in boxing back in 2008 and 2009, in retrospect, feels fighting without his team was a huge risk, one that cost him dear. "I learnt an important lesson from that bout.
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