Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Vijender Singh eyeing another knock-out punch

An impressive seven knock-outs out of eight bouts under his belt, star Indian boxer Vijender Singh today (31) said he is aiming for another "early finish" when he faces WBO Oriental super middleweight champion Zulpikar Maimaitiali of China in Mumbai on Saturday (5).

Saturday's "Battleground Asia" fight night will give both the boxers a chance to claim double titles in a winner-takes- all show.


While Vijender is the current WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight champion, Zulpikar is the WBO Oriental Super Middleweight champion and whoever wins Saturday's fight will claim the twin titles.

"Just pray for me. I will try my 100 per cent for another knock-out. I will try to finish the bout as early as possible," a confident Vijender told reporters on the sidelines of an event where he was named the brand ambassador of Platinum Heavy Duty Cement.

"But you never know with the Chinese. Chinese products are not known to last long," the Beijing Olympics bronze- medallist said in jest.

Nine years younger to Vijender, the Chinese no.1 boxer has age on his side and he made his intentions clear when he said that he was training 10 hours a day to upset the Indian.

Asked about the age factor, Vijender said it will be experience which will matter in the professional circuit.

"I don't think age matters because it's all about experience. I still feel like 20 although I have crossed 30," Vijender said.

"I don't know much about Zulpikar. I searched his profile in Wikipedia but didn't get any significant results. I saw his fight on TV just once but now I have asked my trainer to take that responsibility and train me accordingly."

Talking about the coveted World Championship title, Vijender said he is in no mood to hurry things and would like to achieve one goal at a time.

"It will take time. We are going slowly. My coach always tells me one thing that choose the right fight at the right time. I am happy with the way I am doing right now," he said.

"After here, my next fight will definitely be out of the country in either Dubai, UK or US."

In May earlier this year, Vijender had terminated his contract with the UK-based Queensberry Promotions, complaining that the company failed to deliver on its obligations in the last one year.

But the Indian boxer said he has got back with Queensberry as a freelancer and he is ready to join hands with anyone who will bring fights for him.

"Queensberry is still there but we are ready to work with everyone be it in UK, US or Europe. If you bring fights we are ready to work with anyone," Vijender said.

More For You

Salman Rushdie

Rushdie was stabbed about 15 times: in the head, neck, torso and left hand, blinding his right eye and damaging his liver and intestines. (Photo: Getty Images)

Rushdie attack trial begins as jurors shown graphic details

JURORS heard how a knife attack on novelist Salman Rushdie unfolded in a matter of seconds at a 2022 New York talk and how close he came to death, in the prosecutor's opening statement on Monday (10) at the trial of the man accused of trying to murder the author.

A poet introducing the talk, on the subject of keeping writers safe from harm, was barely into his second sentence when defendant Hadi Matar bounded onto the Chautauqua Institution open-air stage and made about 10 running steps towards a seated Rushdie, Chautauqua District Attorney Jason Schmidt told the jury.

Keep ReadingShow less
Will Smith’s shout-out to Diljit Dosanjh sparks viral collaboration buzz

Will Smith’s comment on Diljit Dosanjh’s latest song sparks excitement among fans

Instagram/diljitdosanjh

Will Smith’s shout-out to Diljit Dosanjh sparks viral collaboration buzz

When Hollywood superstar Will Smith drops a comment on your Instagram post, you know something big is brewing. That’s exactly what happened when Diljit Dosanjh, the Punjabi music sensation, shared a snippet of his latest track, Tension, on social media. Smith, known for his iconic roles and global influence, left a simple yet impactful comment: “Fire!.” Diljit, clearly thrilled, responded with, “@willsmith BIG BROTHER 🦾.”

This brief exchange sent fans into a frenzy, with many speculating if a collaboration between the two stars is on the horizon. One fan wrote, “This is BIG!,” while another chimed in, “Hopefully, there are plans for you two to work together!”

Will Smith drops a "Fire!" comment on Diljit Dosanjh’s post, fuelling collaboration rumoursInstagram/diljitdosanjh

Keep ReadingShow less
Police halt Ed Sheeran’s street performance

Sheeran, who began his career as a busker in the UK, said later on his Instagram account that he did have permission to perform.

Police halt Ed Sheeran’s street performance in Bengaluru

A STREET performance by Ed Sheeran in Bengaluru was stopped abruptly by police last Sunday (9), outraging fans and prompting the British singer to issue a clarification.

Sheeran, dressed in a white t-shirt and shorts was seen singing and playing his guitar on a pavement in the centre of Bengaluru ahead of his concert last Sunday night.

Keep ReadingShow less
 Yvette-Cooper-Getty

Home secretary Yvette Cooper said employers had for too long been able to "exploit illegal migrants and too many people have been able to arrive and work illegally with no enforcement action ever taken". (Photo: Getty Images)

Immigration arrests up 73 per cent in January

UK immigration enforcement teams made more than 600 arrests in January, a 73 per cent increase on the same period a year ago, as part of the Labour government's plan to tackle undocumented migration and people smuggling gangs, officials said on Monday (10).

The 609 arrests, compared to 352 in January 2024, were made during visits to 800 premises including nail bars, restaurants, car washes and convenience stores, a government statement said.

Keep ReadingShow less
NIFFA 2025 to open with ‘Superboys of Malegaon,’ biggest line-up yet

Superboys of Malegaon’ set to open NIFFA 2025, Australia’s biggest Indian film festival

Instagram/shashank.arora

NIFFA 2025 to open with ‘Superboys of Malegaon,’ biggest line-up yet

The National Indian Film Festival of Australia (NIFFA) is gearing up for its most ambitious edition yet, bringing over 40 Indian films to Australian audiences. In collaboration with Dendy, the festival will showcase three world premieres and 36 Australian premieres, featuring a diverse mix of films across multiple Indian languages, including some never seen before in Australian theatres.

Reema Kagti’s much-anticipated Superboys of Malegaon will open the festival on February 13, 2025, with a grand red-carpet gala in Sydney. The film, which previously screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and BFI London Film Festival, will travel across major cities, including Canberra, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and Melbourne, before a nationwide release by Forum Films.

Keep ReadingShow less