British boxer of Pakistan origin, Amir Khan, said he was impressed with Vijender Singh, India's first Olympic and World Championships medallist who is now a professional boxer. Khan took the professional world with a storm and didn't take time to rise through the ladders of professional boxing, winning the WBA light welterweight title at the age of 22 after his life-changing fight against Andreas Kotelnik. Now 29, the Bolton-based boxer is one of world's highest-paid fighters and has an impressive professional record of 34-3 with titles across three weight division to boast about.
Khan, who was impressed with the determination of Indian boxers, said he was ready to harness the abundant talent present in the grass-roots of India, which, according to him, was not getting the support it deserves. "India is a beautiful place. I have always wanted to come here. My parents were here in 2010 for the Commonwealth Games and my brother (Haroon) boxed here in Delhi. It's my first time and I think it's an amazing place. I loved it. The people are nice here, very hospitable. It’s a lovely place. I never expected it to be this nice. I will definitely be back. I came here with my family. My wife has been here before. It's just brilliant," Khan said. In Delhi to attend a friend's wedding, Khan said he plans to start a chain of academies in the country.
"I am here for a friend's wedding but obviously I have many plans. I have my own Amir Khan foundation. I want to do something over here for the needy, for the people who need help. May be go to the villages, may be built something for them. Also my own boxing academy promotion. Next year hopefully we will build gyms. We are in talks at the moment, nothing has been confirmed as of yet. It's all about giving India a chance.
"Indian boxers need more support. They need more people to follow them, support them. With support you become a better fighter. Indian people need to get behind their boxers. The talent is here, you have Mary Kom, Vijender, but they need support. They are not getting that support as much as it's needed," he added.
Khan said he was impressed with Vijender, India's first Olympic and World Championships medallist who is now a professional boxer. Vijender made a smashing professional debut by knocking out Britain’s Sonny Whiting in Manchester last month, ruthlessly demolishing the man who promised to put the Indian through hell at the Manchester Arena.
"Vijender is doing really well. He has won his professional debut. Obviously, the transition was going to be hard from an amateur to professional. But he has done it really well. He is fighting again next month. He has a great future ahead of him. We need more people like Vijender because having more people like him will promote boxing in India.”
