Confident Vijender focuses on CWG gold

Even the reply was laced with self-assurance when asked about how he felt on being the top-rated boxer. “Cool. I feel cool about it and about maintaining the number one position,” Vijender said on Saturday.

But the stardom has not forced his focus to shift away from the forthcoming big assignment -- Commonwealth Games. “Main focus for me now is the Commonwealth Games and all of us (the Indian contingent) are working really hard towards it,” said the Haryana boxer here in the city for a private event.

Vijender said he was confident about bagging another gold at the CWG. “Yes, I’m very confident. Dont’ worry, I’m sure of winning, no worries at all.”

Indian boxing association has mooted the idea of ‘Fight Nights’, a boxing tournament in the footsteps of Indian Premier League, and Vijender gave his thumbs-up for the event. “It is very exciting. We have a lot of plans and this will help in taking Indian boxing to the next level.”

On the future for boxing in India, Vijender felt the mindset of the public needs to change. “In school, nobody teaches boxing. Parents are worried about their children taking to such a sport.

“What everyone need to realise is that boxing is not dangerous. It’s actually a complete sport which needs skill, strength, endurance and speed. Everyone in Europe and North American are mad about the sport, so why can’t we be as well.”