Vikas Krishan to fight in first AIBA Pro Boxing bout in India

ByArun S Kaimal, SportsCafe Editor

06/05/2016

In what could prove to be a major boost for professional boxing in India, an AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) fight night will be held in Delhi featuring World Championship bronze medallist Vikas Krishan. The 24-year-old will get an extra shot at Olympic qualification through this event on June 11.

Vikas, who is ranked No.6 in the world in the AIBA rankings in middleweight category, will square off against Kenya's Nickson Abaka. Abaka is a former bronze-medallist at the Military Games.

"This bout has been made possible by Neeraj Goyat (a pro boxer who is a part of the Professional Boxing Organisation of India (PBOI)). Competing in this bout would make me eligible for the final Olympic Qualifiers in Venezuela in July, where pro boxers from all over the world would be participating," Vikas told PTI.

Vikas’ bout in the event is scheduled just a night before the World Championship bronze medalist’s flight to Baku, Azerbaijan for the final Olympic qualifier. The 24-year-old believes that participating in a six-round event will give him an extra option to qualify for Rio if things don’t go to plan in Baku.

"I only need to fight this bout to be eligible for Venezuela because as per rules, I have to fight two APB bouts. I have already fought one in Uzbekistan in February where I lost. I am confident that I would win this one," said Vikas.

When asked about the risk involved in fighting before leaving for an Olympic qualifier, Vikas said that he has weighed the pros and cons.

"There is a risk of injury but that risk is there in every sparring session we have at the training camp. Things can go wrong anywhere and we can't control that. I don't think it is that big a risk if I fight on June 11 because I am confident that I would pull it off. I am sure that I would be competing in Azerbaijan as well," he said.

With his pro-boxing debut on June 11, Vikas will be able to participate in the Olympic qualifier in Venezuela, which is especially conducted by AIBA for pro-boxers. Former Olympic bronze-medallist Vijender Singh, who also participates in the 75 kg category, is also planning to travel to Venezuela for the qualifier.

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