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Vijender excited about ‘Battle of the Badges’

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Vijender Singh, who turned 30, a week ago, is confident of an exciting show at the National Stadium in Dublin on Saturday when he takes on Dean Gillen, a Nottingham firefighter, in his second professional boxing bout that has been billed as the ‘battle of the badges.’

The Indian, a Deputy Superintendent with the Haryana Police, won his debut bout with a knockout last month after a left cross and a right jab brought down Briton Sony Whitting in the third round.

“I’m getting a really good buzz being in Dublin, and the city has really taken me in. I can't wait for Saturday night and give the fans a good night of action,” the 2008 Beijing Olympics bronze medallist was quoted by PTI news agency as saying.

“I've been over here once before, after the 2012 London Olympics, and trained with the Irish amateur boxing team, and I had a brilliant time then, so it's fantastic to finally return to actually fight here for the first time and show what I can do,” he added.

It will be Gillen’s third professional bout. “Vijender is a superstar. I saw him at the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games. And when my colleagues first heard I was to fight him they couldn't believe it. I know I will be the underdog, but even if I lose, I need to lose well,” Gillen said.

Indian boxing enthusiasts can catch the live action of the bout on Sony Six at 11:00 pm IST. 

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