Books and boxing go together for Nat`l champ Jasveer

New Delhi: In the rugged and rustic world that is Indian boxing, it is hard to find a pugilist who would devote as much time to books as to his training sessions in the ring.

And that`s what makes two-time light heavy weight (81kg) national champion Jasveer Singh an exception. A Masters degree in Physical Education under his belt, the 24-year-old has put his plans for a Doctorate on hold at least for this year to focus completely on boxing in case he gets selected for the Commonwealth Games or the Asian Games.Part of the core group of Indian boxers training for the Commonwealth Games, the Haryana-lad has been under the shadow of his statemate Dinesh Kumar, an Olympian and a World Cup bronze medallist, but is confident of making his own mark soon. "I took up boxing because I wanted to be known as a good sportsperson, it`s a childhood ambition. But I wanted to pursue my studies as well. I wanted to have it both ways and was prepared for the that little extra effort," said the imposing boxer."I have completed my Masters, I plan to do a PhD as well though I have not decided my subject as yet. I want `Dr` against my name. Maybe I will take up teaching at some stage as well but all that is secondary as I am completely focused on boxing for now," he added. With a teacher as his elder brother, Jasveer had to take his books seriously and although his family never discouraged him from sports, in 2003 he ran away from his home in Neemli village with his wrestler cousin to pursue his sporting ambitions. PTI