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

Apollo-BCCI

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said the new contract with Apollo Tyres runs until March 2028. (Photo: BCCI)

Apollo Tyres replaces Dream11 as Team India’s lead sponsor until 2028

INDIAN cricket has signed Apollo Tyres as its new lead sponsor after fantasy sports platform Dream11 ended its contract following a government ban on online gambling.

The men's team travelled to the United Arab Emirates for the ongoing Asia Cup without a sponsor on their shirts after Dream11 exited the deal, which was worth about $44 million and was set to run until 2026.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sydney Sweeney

Filming is tentatively planned for early 2026

Getty Images

Sydney Sweeney offered £45m to star in big-budget Bollywood film

Highlights:

  • Sydney Sweeney reportedly offered £45m for a leading role in a major Bollywood film
  • The package includes £35m in fees and £10M in sponsorship deals
  • Filming is tentatively planned for early 2026 across New York, Paris, London, and Dubai
  • The project could make Sweeney one of the highest-paid Hollywood stars to join Indian cinema

A record-breaking offer

Hollywood actor Sydney Sweeney has reportedly been approached with a staggering £45M deal to star in one of the most expensive Bollywood films ever produced.

The 28-year-old Euphoria and The White Lotus star is said to have been offered £35m in fees plus an additional £10m through sponsorship agreements.

Keep ReadingShow less
Toshi.bet: Revolutionizing Crypto Gaming with High Rewards and Innovative Gameplay

Toshi.bet: Revolutionizing Crypto Gaming with High Rewards and Innovative Gameplay

Introduction

In the rapidly evolving world of crypto casinos, one platform is standing out for its innovative gameplay, unmatched rewards, and community-driven growth — Toshi.bet. Recognized by CoinMarketCap as a pioneer in crypto gaming, Toshi.bet is transforming how players interact with digital assets while gaming.

Why Toshi.bet Is Leading the Crypto Casino Industry

1. Best Rewards in Crypto Gaming

Keep ReadingShow less
China Nvidia chip ban

Nvidia boss Jensen Huang has said he is “disappointed” following reports

iStock

China reportedly bans Nvidia chip sales as CEO expresses disappointment

Highlights:

  • China’s Cyberspace Administration has reportedly ordered tech firms to stop using Nvidia’s AI chips
  • Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says he is “disappointed” but will remain “patient”
  • Huang is visiting the UK alongside other tech leaders during Donald Trump’s state visit
  • Nvidia became the world’s first $4tn company earlier in 2025 amid the AI boom

Huang responds to reported China directive

Nvidia boss Jensen Huang has said he is “disappointed” following reports that China has told its leading technology firms to halt purchases of the company’s artificial intelligence chips.

Speaking to reporters in the UK, Huang added that he would remain “patient” in light of the reported order from China’s internet regulator, the Cyberspace Administration. “There are a lot of places we can’t go to, and that’s fine,” he said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tagenarine Chanderpaul,

Tagenarine Chanderpaul. (Photo by PAT HOELSCHER/AFP via Getty Images)

Chanderpaul, Athanaze return as West Indies name squad for India tour

BATSMEN Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze were recalled to the West Indies ranks when they were named in the squad to tour India on Tuesday (16) while left-arm spinner Khary Pierre is included for the first time.

The two-Test series, with matches in Ahmedabad and Delhi, marks the West Indies' first tour to India since 2018 and forms part of the World Test Championship.

Keep ReadingShow less