In an act of great gesture, Vijender Singh has offered to return his WBO Oriental Super Middleweight title to Chinese Zulpikar Maimaitiali in lieu of peace at the Indo-China border.
Vijender, a double champion in pro boxing, has urged India and China to maintain peace at the border.
“I don’t want this title. I want to give it back to Zulpikar. I want to dedicate this win to India-China friendship. There is some tension at the border, need peace,” Vijender said after becoming the double champion.
.@boxervijender: “I want to dedicate this win to India-China friendship! There is some tension at the border, need peace!” #BattleGroundAsia
— IOS Boxing (@IOSBoxing) August 5, 2017
Vijender’s comments came in the backdrop of the stand-off between India and China.
He won the thrilling 10-round bout by one of the closest unanimous decisions 96-93 95-94 95-94 to maintain his unbeaten streak at the professional boxing.
The bonhomie between the two boxers was evident as Zulpikar hugged Vijender and made him wear his cap. Vijender also returned the gesture by offering his belt to the Chinese boxer.
Vijender said, “He (Zulpikar) gave me that cap, he said I asked him for the cap and he gave it to me, I simply gave him the belt but he couldn’t understand it.”
The Beijing Games bronze medallist admitted that he did not expect the fight to go down the wire.
Want to dedicate this victory towards peace and harmony between India and China! Jai hind 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/O7yt5AjypV
— Vijender Singh (@boxervijender) August 5, 2017
“The fight was really good, I didn’t expect (it will go all the way), it was 10 rounds, at times the Chinese products last a little long, it was an amazing fight and fun! The fight was tough and a lot of blood oozed out, but finally win was ours, it was nice,” he said.
Vijender has now stretched his unbeaten streak to nine bouts.
He came.
He saw.He conquered.@boxervijender kept his unbeaten record in Pro-Boxing intact! 👊#BattleGroundAsia pic.twitter.com/MFpMNGYOD4— IOS Boxing (@IOSBoxing) August 5, 2017
T 2507 – जीत गए !! भारत ने चीन को दे मारा !! Vijendra beats China opponent to keep his title !! A slug fest but WE won ! Congratulations ! pic.twitter.com/qbd5n6HPdd
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) August 5, 2017
Tough match this,but congrats @boxervijender .Enjoyed Hakka Noodles while watching ur fight & you made Chinese Hakka Bakka#BattleGroundAsia pic.twitter.com/6nlcX92MHM
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 5, 2017
Congratulations to @boxervijender for the great win. Chinese met a grand defeat in Mumbai and same will happen in Doklam #BattleGroundAsia pic.twitter.com/d7kwncuvgQ
— Swami Ramdev (@yogrishiramdev) August 5, 2017
Congratulations @boxervijender on yet another victory. Looked like the best match of your pro-boxing career. Superbly done#BattleGroundAsia
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) August 5, 2017
Congratulations my brother @boxervijender!! Sabash shera 👊#BattleGroundAsia. Keep rocking
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) August 5, 2017
It was like a #MohammadAli vs #Tyson in styles of fighting..very well fought my brother @boxervijender..retains the title #BattleGroundAsia pic.twitter.com/aXHhrEr9au
— Randeep Hooda (@RandeepHooda) August 5, 2017
#VijenderSingh 9-0SonnyWhitingDeanGillenSamHyuseinovAlexanderHorvathMatiouzeRoyerAndrzej SoldraKerry HopeFrancis ChekaZ Maimaitiali
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) August 5, 2017
Feature image: AFP