Match: Vijender Singh v Francis Cheka
Date: 17 December, Saturday
Time: 9:30pm SGT/7pm IST/1:30pm SGT (onwards)
Venue: Thyagaraj Sports Complex, New Delhi
Bout: WBO Asia Pacific Super middleweight title bout
TV Schedule: There is no live TV coverage in Singapore.
Live Streaming: Hotstar, Starsports.com
Overview
Vijender Singh has had a solid career so far in the professional circuit since he turned pro in 2015. Since then, he has fought seven bouts and has won all of them, including six knockouts.
In July earlier this year, Vijender fought his biggest battle against Australia's Kerry Hope in the WBO Asia Pacific Super middleweight title bout, which he won after the end of an arduous nine-round battle by unanimous decision.
Vijender had tremendous support for his bout as a packed house was behind the Olympic medallist, who had fought his first pro-boxing match at home. It was electric atmosphere, a daunting one for Hope, who tested Vijender and prevented a knockout.
On Saturday, Tanzanian challenger Francis Cheka can expect nothing less than another full-house at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex. The pressure though will also be on the Indian pugilist, who will be defending his title for the first time.
After having maintained a perfect 7-0 record in his year-long pro boxing career, Vijender will be up against Cheka, who is one of the seasoned campaigners in the professional circuit, in a 10-round bout, which is also his second at home.
The 34-year-old, unlike his previous opponents, has a wealth of experience behind him after having fought 43 bouts, winning 32, including 17 knockouts. The Tanzanian has over 300 rounds under his belt, which can prove to be a big difference between him and his opponent.
Cheka, who has spent 17 years in the pro-boxing circuit, played down the hype around the event and reportedly said he does not even consider Saturday's bout as a "big one". On the other hand, Vijender, who has always let his performance do the talking, has come out and said he does not care if his opponent "is a superstar" but is sure of making his record 8-0.
TV Schedule
India: Star Sports 1
UK: BoxNation
