Vijender bags second knock-out in growing pro career

Vijender bags second knock-out in growing pro career

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Vijender Singh knocked out Dean Gillen faster than one could fix a drink readying to watch the second middleweight pro bout of the Indian on Saturday evening. Such was the imposing presence of the Haryana DSP of Police in the face-off touted as the ‘Battle of the Badges’ against Gillen, a part-time Nottingham firefighter.

Olympic and World championship medallist Vijender began slowly but was quick to find his feet and fast to assess his opponent, who is one bout older than him on the pro circuit. The bout was to be four rounds of three minutes each, but by the end of the first minute, Vijender had pinned his opponent to a corner. By the second he was all over him, and by the third, he had floored him with a punch bang on his face.

Gillen had earlier managed to get back on hs feet but the last assault was too much to handle for the Briton who did not get up after slumping into the corner.

Vijender had begun his pro career in similar fashion last month with a KO against Briton Sonny Whiting.

"I am very happy with my performance in the second professional fight of my career. I have just performed as per the tactics and whatever I have learnt in the last two months from Lee Beard and Hroon. This win is a Diwali gift for my country and fans," Vijender said.

The Indian seemed expectedly upbeat after securing the brace. "I'm working hard with my coaches, 2-0 I'm very happy. Everything has changed, I'm learning. I'm doing OK!" he said post the bout, as reported by PTI.

Vijender's coach also looked forward to his next match-up set for December 19, the opponent for which is yet to be announced. "He's been sparring a lot of good lads. He's improving all the time. We'll have a week off then it's back on Dec 19," said Vijender's British trainer Lee Beard.

"Two back to back wins have boosted my morale. I know this is just starting of my professional career but I am confident that I will work hard in the coming days and make my country proud. After two months of hectic schedule, finally I am taking a break of one week and going to India to celebrate Diwali with my family. Then I will start preparing for my next fight scheduled on 19 December in Manchester," Vijender said.

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