Vijender Singh to not face China’s Zulpikar Maimaitiali in his next fight
Vijender Singh was supposed to face the WBO Oriental super middleweight champion Zulpikar Miamiatiali in his next bout, but it will be not be taking place after talks broke down.
Zulpikar Miamiatiali of China, the WBO Oriental super middleweight champion, who was set to fight Vijender Singh, the WBO Asia Pacific super middleweight champion, on April 1 in Mumbai, will not do so now.
Talks were on between IOS Boxing Promotions, the promoters of Vijender Singh, and the Chinese promoters, but they failed to make any headway.
However, the bout will take place in Mumbai as scheduled as IOS Boxing Promotions are in talks with other champions in Vijender’s weight category, and the opponent will be announced soon.
On the development, Vijender said, “I like to take things positively, I am sure Zulpikar has his reasons for not fighting. I am ready to fight whoever is my next opponent, I am preparing for whoever is willing to fight.”
Vijender, who is training in Manchester under Lee Beard, had overwhelmed Tanzania’s Francis Cheka in his title defence in December. He is undefeated in the circuit and the April 1 bout will be his third pro fight in the country, the earlier two being held in Delhi.
Vijender has so far eight wins with seven of them being knockouts.
Neerav Tomar, promoter, IOS Boxing Promotions, said, “Zulpikar refusing to fight Vijender that does not mean that the fight will not take place; it is likely to happen later in the year.”