'I will give this kid (Vijender Singh) a lesson of boxing'
- Veteran boxer Francis Cheka has thrown a tough challenge to Vijender Singh.
- Cheka is the current intercontinental champion.
- The duo will fight for the WBO Super Middleweight Asia Pacific title.
He will be up against the former world and current intercontinental Champion Francis Cheka on December 17.
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The 34-year-old experienced boxer from Tanzania is a veteran of 43 fights with 32 wins including 17 knockouts and has tested himself against top super-middleweight talent including WBA world champion Fedor Chudinov from Russia and WBC international Champion Matthew Mecklin from UK.
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Cheka has racked up 300 gruelling rounds under his belt in the 16 years of his career compared to Vijender Singh's 27 and has no fear fighting in India.
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Cheka is Vijender's most experienced opponent to date and will prove a stern test for the big-hitting Indian boxer.
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Vijender currently has a record of seven out of seven wins including 6 knockouts. The Indian claimed his first title at the Thyagaraj Stadium in July this year against Australian Kerry Hope.
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On fighting Cheka, Vijender said, "Cheka is a highly experienced boxer, he has many bouts under his belt, but none of this demotivates me. I'm training harder to match up to his level and hoping for another win.
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"My trainer feels that my punches are stronger than before and he has also put me under high intensity training. I am sure of protecting my title with as much pride as I won it. I am going to leave no stone unturned to make sure my title stays with me," he added.
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Meanwhile, Cheka was more aggressive with his words and promised to knock out Vijender.
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"I am ready to give this kid a lesson of boxing. I will come to India. I have heard a lot about this Indian boxer and there's a lot of hype around him, I just can't wait to be the one to put him in his place," he told PTI.
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"I know he trains in Manchester, UK, but it will be a great fun to beat Indian lad in his own country and take away his title. If you see my record, I have a total of 17 knockouts, I have played way more rounds than he has, I am sure I will be able to knock him out in the first round itself.
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Vijender has been training in Manchester for his title defense fight next month.