Vijender Singh will make his pro debut in the ring on Saturday. (Getty)
Olympic bronze medalist, actor, and all-around Indian celebrity Vijender Singh makes his professional boxing debut when he takes on Sonny Whiting on Saturday at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, Lancashire.
The scheduled four-rounder will be featured on the undercard of the Terry Flanagan vs Diego Magdaleno bout, which will be broadcast live on BoxNation (Sky 437/HD 490, Virgin 546 and Talk Talk 415) starting at 5PM BST.
Read on for the favorite to win and details.
Odds and Favorite to Win
Vijender Singh (R) at the 16th Asian Games in 2010. (Getty)
Vijender Singh enters the middleweight fight a heavy favorite on online sportbooks (see below) and the encounter is widely seen as opportunity for Singh to shine. But while fans and insiders are only giving Whiting (2-1, 1KO) a puncher’s chance, sometimes, in boxing, that’s all you need.
“The transformation from amateur to pro will be really hard for Vijender,” Whiting said via press release. “I’ll make sure I give him a good welcome.”
Fighting words! I like it! But the betting public is not impressed. Let’s take a look at the numbers:
Paddy Power: Vijender Singh -3300 Sonny Whiting +1000
888sport: Vijender Singh -4100 Sonny Whiting +1200
32RedBet: : Vijender Singh -5000 Sonny Whiting +1200
Bet365: Vijender Singh -10000 Sonny Whiting +1600
Vijender Singh, 29 years old from Kaluwas, Rewari, is regarded as India’s most decorated amateur boxer, medalling in the 2006, 2010, and 2014 Commonwealth Games; the 2006 and 2010 Asian Games; 2009 World Amateur Champions; and of course the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
“I know that my opponent Sonny Whiting will not be an easy first fight,” said Singh. “He has already had three fights so he’ll be prepared and I hear that he wants to defeat me in my first pro fight. He won’t beat me, I’m so focused and determined on what I have to do,” he said.
Whiting, a 28 year old Rochester, United Kingdom is coming off a win over Aaron Robinson in March. Prior to the Robinson fight, Whiting suffered the only professional loss in his young career, to Dee Mitchell, and won his debut against James Child last year.
“I hear that Singh is a massive superstar in India,” said Whiting. “I’ll be looking to send a brutal message back to his home when I beat him.”