Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Olympian Vijender Singh dreaming of Madison Square Garden and Canelo fight

A debut at the Madison Square Garden and a showdown with Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez are top of Vijender Singh's wishlist as he ventures into the US professional boxing circuit with Manny Pacquiao's coach Freddie Roach to assist his training.

The 33-year-old, an icon in Indian boxing with his path-breaking bronze medals at the Olympics and the World Championships, is unbeaten since turning pro in 2015 but did not compete at all this year.


After a stint of 10 fights in the UK and India, Vijender is set to foray into the US territory after signing up with the legendary Bob Arum's Top Rank Promotions. His debut across the Atlantic is being planned for February-March next year.

"The relationship (with Arum) goes back to two years and finally it's a formal contract now," Vijender said.

"I have told him (Bob Arum) about my dream to debut at the Madison Square Garden. After winning an Olympic medal, I had spoken about a desire to fight at the MSG arena and when I told Bob about this, he said 'the boy has a Madison Square Garden dream. OK we'll see what can be done'," he recalled.

Vijender, who has won the WBO Asia Pacific and Oriental super middleweight titles so far, will be training with Roach, a long-time coach of Filipino superstar Pacquiao -- a world champion in eight different weight divisions.

Roach had a decent run in the pro circuit, winning 40 of his 53 bouts, before Parkinson's disease cut short his fighting career at 26.

"Bob introduced us to Freddie Roach and (Robert) Garcia. We discussed a lot of things and let's see how it goes. Lee Beard (his trainer during stint with UK's Queensberry Promotions) is still in the team but it's not yet decided if I am training in the UK or the USA or both. We will sort it out very soon," Vijender elaborated.

Another one of Vijender's wishes is a showdown with Canelo, a multiple-time world champion. Canelo would be taking on Britain's Rocky Fielding for the WBA super middleweight champion at the Madison Square Garden on December 15.

The Indian would like his clash with the 28-year-old to be a world title bout.

"We discussed the idea of fighting Canelo, Bob told me, we might get that next year. Yes, next year because Bob said fighting in the US is like a back-to-back business. After August he told me, we would go for the big things," Vijender said.

"My main aim is Canelo, I am looking for a fight with him and I am now looking for a world title fight," he added.

All that is for the year ahead but speaking of the year that is going by, Vijender said it was largely spent training, negotiating a deal in the US and spending quality time with his five-year-old son Abeer.

"This year was a lot of ups and downs. We planned for a Commonwealth title fight but somehow, it got cancelled a week before the fight after my proposed opponent got injured...then my contract with Queensberry ended," he said.

"I have been relaxing, doing my training, was pulled back a bit by cancellation of the title fight. I was told I would fight in either Australia or Canada but I just knew it won't work out because the vision was not there.

"But I am never frustrated, I am mostly happy. My son is five now, he is growing up fast and he keeps me running. I drop him to school, come back with him and we do a lot of things together. So there's never a dull moment," he added.

On to professional matters and Vijender said his association with Arum guarantees him at least three fights in 2019 and the number can go up to five, "depending on my fitness".

There could also be events in India, which would be a first for Arum, but nothing has been cast in stone yet.

"US is a different world. It is the best boxing country, the mecca of boxing. I have explained to Bob how India works. He said our first base is US and then we might come to India depending on people's interest.

"There could be fights in Delhi and Mumbai. I prefer Delhi because I get a lot of support here," he said.

Signing up with Arum, a Hall of Fame member who has promoted names like Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr among others, is a "milestone achieved" for the Indian trailblazer and he now wants this chapter of his professional journey to be a grand one.

"I am very excited," was his summation of the emotion right now.

On whether there is any apprehension about what lies ahead, Vijender offered a philosophical take.

"Just go with the flow. Life should be like that, always believe that it might never happen again. Take every opportunity you get and go where god takes you. I believe in that. Experience teaches you," he said.

More For You

Minouche Shafik

Shafik served as deputy governor for markets and banking at the Bank of England between August 2014 and February 2017.

Reuters

Starmer appoints Minouche Shafik as chief economic adviser in reshuffle

Highlights:

  • Minouche Shafik named chief economic adviser to Keir Starmer.
  • Darren Jones moves into Downing Street role; James Murray replaces him.
  • Wider reshuffle includes changes in Starmer’s private office and communications.
  • Appointment comes ahead of a budget expected to include further tax rises.

Prime minister Keir Starmer has named Minouche Shafik, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England, as his chief economic adviser. The appointment comes as he looks to strengthen his team ahead of what is expected to be a difficult end to the year.

Keep ReadingShow less
Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout

The new Harry Potter series stars Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout

‘Harry Potter’ filming in London sparks anger as locals claim no consent for Privet Drive remake

Highlights:

  • A London street has been turned into Privet Drive for the new Harry Potter series
  • Locals in Upminster say they were not told filming was for the HBO remake
  • Some residents fear being “bombarded with wizards” while others are thrilled
  • Cast includes Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout

A quiet street in east London has been transformed into Privet Drive for the new Harry Potter series, but locals are unhappy they were not properly informed about the filming. Springfield Gardens in Upminster, chosen to double as the boy wizard’s childhood home, has left neighbours divided, with some welcoming the attention while others worry they will be “bombarded with wizards.” The HBO production, part of a major reboot, has already brought cameras, drones and fans to the area.

Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout The new Harry Potter series stars Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout Instagram/harrypotterhbonotofficial

Keep ReadingShow less
Justin Bieber at an Indian bride’s wedding in Los Angeles

Justin Bieber makes surprise entry at an Indian bride’s wedding in Los Angeles

Instagram/justinstournews

Justin Bieber shocks guests with wedding surprise for Indian bride in Los Angeles as fans call it the best gift

Highlights

  • Justin Bieber makes unexpected appearance at an Indian wedding in Los Angeles
  • Bride and guests left delighted as the pop star mingled and posed for photos
  • Videos and pictures of the moment spread widely online, with fans praising him
  • The singer recently released his new album Swag featuring multiple collaborations

Pop icon Justin Bieber surprised an Indian bride at her wedding in Los Angeles, turning her big day into an unforgettable celebration. The Justin Bieber wedding surprise quickly spread across social media, with photos and videos showing the star smiling, mingling with guests, and posing with the bridal squad. His warm gesture has been hailed by fans, with many calling it the best wedding gift ever.

Justin Bieber at an Indian bride\u2019s wedding in Los Angeles Justin Bieber makes surprise entry at an Indian bride’s wedding in Los Angeles Instagram/justinstournews

Keep ReadingShow less
Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif

Farhan Akhtar confirms Jee Le Zaraa is not shelved but cast uncertain

Instagram/priyankachopra

Farhan Akhtar says ‘Jee Le Zaraa’ will happen but drops bombshell that Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif may exit

Highlights:

  • Farhan Akhtar says Jee Le Zaraa has been delayed but not shelved
  • Significant work including music and location scouting already completed
  • Director cannot confirm if Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif remain attached
  • Project first announced in 2021 as a female-led road trip film

Filmmaker-actor Farhan Akhtar has clarified that his highly anticipated film Jee Le Zaraa has not been shelved. Speaking about the much-discussed project, Akhtar said the film is simply “on the back burner” due to scheduling conflicts. The clarification comes after years of speculation that the all-female road trip film, originally announced with Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt, might have been abandoned.

Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif Farhan Akhtar confirms Jee Le Zaraa is not shelved but cast uncertain Instagram/priyankachopra

Keep ReadingShow less
modi putin

Before their formal meeting, Putin offered Modi a ride in his Aurus limousine.

X/@narendramodi

Six key takeaways from the SCO summit

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi met Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China.

Modi pressed for ending the Ukraine conflict at the earliest, reaffirmed India’s long-standing ties with Russia, and discussed trade and border issues with Xi.

Keep ReadingShow less