One-upmanship is a pre-requisite in Pro-Boxing. But Vijender Singh's next WBO Asia Pacific challenger Tanzanian Francis Cheka took it to another level by undermining India's first Olympic medallist in the sport
Vijender Singh (right) and Francis Cheka (left) along with Neerav Tomar, MD, IOS pose with the WBO Super Middleweight Asia Pacific belt in New Delhi yesterday. Pic/PTI
Vijender Singh (right) and Francis Cheka (left) along with Neerav Tomar, MD, IOS pose with the WBO Super Middleweight Asia Pacific belt in New Delhi yesterday. Pic/PTI
New Delhi: One-upmanship is a pre-requisite in Pro-Boxing. But Vijender Singh's next WBO Asia Pacific challenger Tanzanian Francis Cheka took it to another level by undermining India's first Olympic medallist in the sport.
The bust-up at a pre-event face-off more than a decade ago between Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis in Memphis set the template for the kind of brouhaha, which is mandatory for promotion of a marquee bout.
And if Cheka's off-the-ring verbal volleys are anything to go by, the Olympic bronze medallist has a fight in hand. "Vijender's Olympic medal is nothing. I am a World Champion and inter-continental champion.
On December 17, Vijender will know why I am a world champion. I feel sorry India has picked Vijender to fight me. Vijender looks scared already. India will be ashamed on Saturday," Cheka said.
