Vijender knocks out Cheka to retain Asia Pacific title

12/17/2016

Veteran Francis Cheka wanted to teach Vijender Singh a thing or two about professional boxing, but the Indian knocked him out in only the third round of the ten-round bout. The defending champion’s punches found their mark more often than not forcing Cheka to retire early with a technical knockout.

After six consecutive knockout wins, Vijender Singh had punched his way to his maiden pro boxing title by defeating former European champion Kerry Hope by unanimous decision at New Delhi in July 2016. However, the new WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight Champion was set to face his toughest opponent so far when he defended his title against former World champion Francis Cheka today. Cheka is a veteran of 43 fights making Vijender sound almost like a novice with just 7 fights under his belt.

Cheka, who has been reportedly following an inhuman training schedule for this match, sounded extra-brash when he taunted Vijender ahead of the match saying, “Vijender is like a child who has just gotten into the professional ring and doesn’t know what all challenges will he face. I think on the 17th I will teach him about professional boxing.” to which Vijender had replied by saying, “I will … show him what a child’s punch feels like.”

The build-up to the match was, however, marred by some clueless compering by the Starsports team that included interviewing Indian boxing legends including Mary Kom in a dingy makeshift room that could easily have been confused for a college event backstage. The icing on the cake though was when they quizzed Baba Ramdev on healthy living and received a three-pronged approach of “Disciplined workout, disciplined diet, disciplined life” as the answer. Just when you thought your sufferings were over, the mic traveled to Raghu of Roadies fame who ironically called Cheka “a good entertainer”, and added that Vijender “will retire him tonight”. The stuff that we endure to witness our heroes in action!

Finally, after four bouts where Indian boxers won all but one, it was time for the finale. The match was to be 10 rounds of 3 minutes each, but it lasted three rounds, although it was worth every minute of the traumatic wait.Round 1 saw both opponents testing each other with jabs before Cheka opened the account with a left hook into Vijender’s ribs. Cheka’s further advances were deftly parried away by the Indian who managed to land a right cross one-two into Cheka at the one-minute mark. Vijender then ended the Round with a right hook into Cheka’s jaw.

Round 1 saw both opponents testing each other with jabs before Cheka opened the account with a left hook into Vijender’s ribs. Cheka’s further advances were deftly parried away by the Indian who managed to land a right cross one-two into Cheka at the one-minute mark. Vijender then ended the Round with a right hook into Cheka’s jaw.

Cheka came out aggressive in the second, but Vijender managed to keep his guard and his distance. Moving away from his opponent, Vijender still managed to land a massive right cross bang into Cheka’s head and in a cheeky move put his hands behind his back immediately. The taunt worked as Cheka raged forward only to be caught by Vijender again.

Round 3 saw Vijender evading Cheka’s hooks in the initial minute before the Indian landed a left hook of his own.Another right cross right into his head and Cheka was slowly realizing “what a child’s punch feels like.” Another hook and a cross, and it was all over. Cheka who had vowed to “teach Vijender about professional boxing” put his hands up and gave up the match, and in three rounds, Singh was King once more.

With the win, Vijender has now made it a perfect 8 out of 8 with 7 of them coming from knockouts.

In the end, the champion thanked the capacity crowd that had gathered, his compatriot boxers who had come to support him and hoped that he would continue making India proud.

Vijender knocks out Cheka to retain Asia Pacific title

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