Vijender Singh to take on Dean Gillen in his second pro boxing bout

Like his opponent, Dean Gillen is a rookie in pro boxing and this will be his third bout. The 33-year-old made his debut back in May earlier this year and has won his first two fights – against Shaun White and Lewis Van Poetsch.

Deano, as he is known as, rose to fame back in 2013, when he knocked out all his opponents on his way to lift the 2013 World Police and Fire Fighter Games in Belfast.

The Englishman has praised Vijender's talent and knows that the odds are stacked against him, "I've watched him in the Olympics and in his pro-debut, he's a world class kid and I can't wait to get in there and put him to the test. He's an Olympian and that speaks for itself, he's a hero in his country and he's idolised by millions of people, but at some point he'll have to get beat and that could well be his second fight against me.”

However, he was also quick to remind that he won't be present in the ring just to make up numbers, "I'm certainly no journeyman and I'm not going in to make up numbers, I'm here to fight and win. I know the odds are stacked against me, but when you're facing life risking tasks through your job then fighting someone like Singh is a walk in the park.”

"I will be coming for him. I've got the heart of a lion and a serious will to win. I've got a strong jab and the reach to take advantage of him, backed up with a solid chin and a real desire and with nothing to lose, I think I'm going to be a really dangerous opponent for Singh. Add to the fact I've never lost to a Police boxer in the amateurs and with stacks of pride and honour on the line, I refuse to lose,” the middleweight boxer was quoted as saying by PTI.

Vijender Singh, who is the poster boy of boxing in India, announced his arrival in pro boxing in some style. The Padma Shri winner knocked out Sonny Whiting in the third round of his debut bout in Manchester, and it seems like his intensive training under the watchful eyes of Lee Beard is bearing fruits.

Vijender has expressed his eagerness to get into the ring with Gillen and has hoped that his opponent gets the best out of him in thus fight. The Indian pugilist said, "I can't wait for this fight against Gillen, he's talking the fight and it looks like he will bring me a challenge in my second fight. From what I have seen of him, he looks like a good opponent who will push me and I hope he does because then the better I will fight, I rise to my opponent and it brings the best out in me.”

The Indian star feels that he still has to improve a lot and Lee Beard is helping him to tighten up his game.

"He's got an unbeaten record, albeit two fights, and it's a big motivator for me to claim his first loss, if I can stop him, like against Whiting, then that will be another good win for me.

"While I was pleased with my pro-debut there is still plenty that I need to work on in my defence and offence and I've been training hard with Lee to correct things and improve, it's a continual process and it will happen fight by fight,” he told the media.

The build-ups to professional boxing bouts are surrounded by a lot of hype as both boxers engage in verbal wars to gauge each other. These almost ritual events can make even one-sided feuds seem like the most thrilling rivalry of all time. Vijender has certainly picked up these tricks of the trade very quickly.

"Being a fireman, he'll be used to dealing with fire and coping with heat but this is one fire he won't be putting out and it will be an entertaining fight for the fans in my first pro fight in the capital," the Olympic medallist quipped.