Zulpikar refuses to fight Vijender

New Delhi, February 24 

Indian boxing star Vijender Singh’s scheduled opponent for his next fight, China’s Zulpikar Maimaitiali, today backed out of the April 1 contest without specifying any reason. However, the event will go ahead as scheduled in Mumbai with a different rival.

The Vijender-Zulpikar super middleweight contest was to be a double Asian title fight. The Indian’s WBO Asia-Pacific belt and the Chinese boxer’s WBO Oriental title were to be on the line in a winner-takes-all bout.

Vijender’s promoters IOS Boxing Promotions said Zulpikar had refused to specify reason for pulling out, merely telling them he would prefer to fight Vijender later in the year.

However, Vijender will be in action on April 1 nonetheless as his promoters are now talking to other international boxing champions in the same weight category.

“I like to take things positively, I am sure Zulpikar has his reasons for not fighting. However, I am ready to fight whoever is my next opponent, my promoters are working towards it and I am sure they will come up with another challenger. I am preparing myself for whoever is willing to fight,” Vijender said. — PTI