Vijender Singh set to go; Sonny Whiting promises to put him through hell

Manchester: Star Indian boxer Vijender Singh on Wednesday said he is ready for whatever his rival Sonny Whiting brings to the ring when he makes his pro debut on October 10, even as the flamboyant Britisher promised to put the Olympic medallist 'through absolute hell'.

Vijender met face-to-face with his experienced opponent today and both assured the spectators of an explosive fight at the Manchester Arena here this Saturday.

"I'm ready for Saturday and whatever Whiting brings to the ring. I've trained hard for my professional debut and nothing or no one is going to get in the way of what I have to do, especially Whiting. I've been preparing hard with my trainer Lee Beard in Manchester and we have done everything we can in preparation for this, so now it is down to me to deliver the goods on the night in the ring," said Vijender at the final head-to-head press conference today.

"I've seen Whiting face-to-face now and we will see on the night what he can do in the ring. Physically he looks strong, but looks are deceiving, there are plenty of question on him as well: Can he take my power? Will he be able to cope with my speed and footwork? With only a few days to go he is the only thing on my mind right now. Beating him, winning, and getting my first professional win on my record," the 2008 Olympic bronze medallist added.

29-year-old Vijender will begin his quest to become India's first professional boxing world champion when he takes on Whiting over four rounds in the middleweight division on Saturday.

Whiting, who is three bouts old and has a 2-1 overall record so far including one knockout win, called Vijender "a kid".

"There's so much hype around this fight anyone would think that it's the main event! I'm going to put this kid through absolute hell in the ring on the night," said Whiting.

"Since it was announced that I would be the opponent for Singh I've been cast off as someone who's in there to get a pasting from him. Listen, I'm not taking a pasting for nobody, especially from someone who's making his pro debut. I'm a proud fighter who will go in there and give it everything. I've got and I'm not laying down in front of anyone," Whiting said.
Whiting said Vijender might be a superstar in amateur boxing but warned that the Indian won't be able to stand his punches.

"He's making his debut and I'll give him a hard welcome to the professional game. What he's done as an amateur doesn't count, he's now with the big boys in the pros. He might of been a superstar in the amateurs around the world, but now he's going to feel the pain in the pros. Once I start roughing him up and landing the heavy punches, what's he going to do? Look for the referee to help him out?

"If he's goes past the second round I'll be surprised. I'm looking to do some damage and take him out early. He won't be able to stand my body shots and I'll break him in half with them. This is going to be a Whiting victory," said the Englishman.