Ace boxing sensation Vijender Singh deserves accolades for triumphing over Australian Kerry Hope and winning the WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight title. However Singh’s fans are disappointed that he turned professional and would not be taking part in the Rio Olympics. Professional boxing as a sport is all about money minus the national pride. Vijender Singh should have turned professional after the Rio Olympics but he became greedy after money by sacrificing playing for the country which is the ultimate satisfaction for any sportsman to represent the nation at the Olympics.
Professional boxing at times is also rigged due to the money involved as well as betting taking place in such bouts. The real competition is in amateur boxing where you play for national honours and pride. Fame is more important than money and let us hope no current boxers emulate Vijender as long as they are doing well for the nation.
S.N. Kabra
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
