NEW DELHI: Vikas Krishan plans to turn professional after the Rio Olympics. Vikas, who will feature in the AIBA Pro Boxing fight night on Saturday, raised the possibility on Wednesday. If he turns pro, he will be the second major India boxer to do so after Vijender Singh.
“It is a possibility. I will consult my family and friends before turning professional. The change won’t be difficult as I have been training for six-round bouts,” he said.
Vikas is supposed to travel to Baku, Azerbaijan, for the World Olympic Qualifiers, and the fight night is a backup in case the 24-year-old lightweight boxer fails to secure an Olympic berth in Baku.
Vikas will fight Kenya’s Nickson Abaka as part of the fight night in Noida. The fight was mandated as it would give the 2011 World Championship bronze medallist a ticket to participate in the World Series Boxing-AIBA Pro Boxing qualifying event in Venezuela in July. He will board the flight to Baku a day later.
“I am doing this because I need to fight in these two tournaments to qualify for Venezuela. I’ll not risk an injury in the fight night as it is not necessary to win,” he said.
The Bhiwani boxer was also open to the idea of squaring off against Vijender if a trial is held to decide who goes to Venezuela. Vijender has expressed a desire to participate in Rio through the Venezuela meet, and Kisan Narsi, who heads the appointed ad-hoc body in India, announced they would hold trials for this weight division.
{{/usCountry}}The Bhiwani boxer was also open to the idea of squaring off against Vijender if a trial is held to decide who goes to Venezuela. Vijender has expressed a desire to participate in Rio through the Venezuela meet, and Kisan Narsi, who heads the appointed ad-hoc body in India, announced they would hold trials for this weight division.
{{/usCountry}}“I am confident I’ll get a berth in Baku and the fight in Noida is a back up. If I fail and a trial is held, I’ll definitely fight. I have never shied away from trials,” said Vikas.