Vijender Singh celebrated Christmas and New Year early by knocking out Francis Cheka of Tanzania and defending his first professional title, the WBO Asia Pacific super middleweight crown, in style on December 17.
THANKS TO THE rhetoric-laden onslaught by Cheka, a former World and Inter-continental champion with a record of 32 wins in 43 bouts, in the build-up to the fight followed by Vijender’s antics inside the ring, this contest has to be the most dramatic one for the Indian boxer in his short eight-bout professional career. In sharp contrast to his aggressive posturing prior to the bout, Cheka appeared too cautious and faint-hearted inside the ring. Delivering a jaw-clattering right in the second round and then crossing his legs and locking his hands behind, a smiling Vijender gave indications of ending his title defence early. Moving with the finesse of a dancer, the Indian unleashed a few more punches on Cheka in the third before the referee stopped the contest within nine minutes of the round.
“I was thrashing him for fun. I could have hammered him in the second round after that right to the chin, but I wanted to have revenge for all that he had said about me before the fight. He had called me a kid but I showed him the reality with my boxing,” said Vijender, showing he has now learned how to speak apart from delivering punches.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Tokyo Marathon Cancelled For Amateurs On Coronavirus Fears
Organisers in Japan cancelled the amateur portion of the Tokyo marathon, affecting around 38,000 runners, on fears about the spread of the new coronavirus in Japan.
Right Criteria To Pick The Tennis GOAT
What should the criteria be? What weight should be attached to each criterion? And what should not be considered as valid criteria?
The making of a batting behemoth
If Steve Smith dominated the Ashes in England in a dramatic, blockbuster fashion then his like for like a replacement, Marnus Labuschagne, is the Next Big Thing after an exciting summer of run-glut.
WHEN ACES WERE REWARDED...
It was an evening of nostalgia and celebration when the Sportstar Aces awards were given away in Mumbai.
A question of recognition
After a week of awards, one wonders if it’s only a departed player that one will be named after.
Thinking straight, thinking right!
“A lot depends on when I am bowling and what is required from me. That’s something I do when I play for India and I try to follow the same thing in the domestic circuit,” says Yuzvendra Chahal.
The Big Three and the Next Gen
Though the Big Three are very unlikely to retire during the same year, Judy Murray, mother of Andy, echoed the sentiments of many fans worried about the impact of their departures.
WAKING UP TO MENTAL HEALTH
Sport at large and cricket specifically has taken an inordinately long time to address the elephant in the room — the dark abyss of depression.
Like sunshine in a gloomy dressing room
Bangladesh quick Abu Jayed Rahi is new in the red-ball arena, but his swing brings back old memories — of James Anderson on green tops.
The league of the masses
With traditional clubs locking horns with the hard-working nurseries of the game, the I-League will continue to keep the beating heart of Indian football alive despite official apathy.
