Saturday, July 16, 2016

Vijender Singh Vs Kerry Hope Saturday July 16,2016

India's Olympic medal-winning boxer will have his biggest date since turning professional a year ago.

On Saturday July 16,2016, he fights Australia's Kerry Hope for the WBO Asia Pacific super middleweight title.

Vijender has knocked over each of his six opponents so far, but there are a few firsts that will test his skill and ability to the T when he enters the ring - hoping to beat Hope.

A seasoned campaigner, Hope will certainly try to wear the Indian down in what will be the first ever 10-round fight for Vijender. But that's not the only low-down before the weigh-in that happens on the eve of the fight.

There are a few more -

1. Hope has been a pro-boxer for 12 years; Vijender has just completed his first year as a professional
2. Hope won his first 11 professional fights; Vijender is unbeaten and has won all his six fights so far.
3. Hope's record in 30 fights stands at 23-7; Vijender has a clean slate of 6-0.
4. Hope has been World No. 3 (middleweight) in the past; Vijender was once world No. 1 in AIBA middleweight rankings.
5. It will be Vijender's first 10-round professional fight; Hope is a seasoned campaigner in that space.
6. Vijender has won medals at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and World Championships as an amateur; Hope has none of that.
7. Vijender is right-handed; Hope is a left-hander.
8. Vijender (30) is four years younger to Hope (34)
9. If Vijender wins the title, he will rise to No. 15 in world rankings (super middleweight).
10. Hope, born in Wales but now an Australian citizen, moved from middleweight to super middleweight division to take on Vijender.
11. Hope is a former WBC middleweight champion; this is Vijender's first fight for a professional title.
12. Vijender's trainer is Lee Beard; Hope's is Gareth Williams.

Vijender clinches WBO Asia Pacific title

Indian boxing star Vijender Singh scaled a new high in his professional career as he clinched the WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight title with a dominating win over former WBC European champion Kerry Hope in New Delhi

The 30-year-old Indian took all 10 rounds to systematically dismantle the 34-year-old Welsh-born Australian and record his seventh straight win in the circuit, a year after turning professional.

Tonight was also the longest that Vijender spent inside the ring to clinch a win since turning pro besides being his first points win after six knockouts.