Star Indian boxer Vijender Singh today said he felt no additional pressure before his first home professional bout against Australia's Kerry Hope for the WBO Asia Pacific super middleweight title, but only a sense of responsibility for the future of the sport in the country.
"I think, there is no pressure (but) more responsibility because this fight will decide what is the future of pro boxing in India. People are excited and would be coming to see (the fight)," the 2008 Olympic Games bronze-medallist told reporters here.
"Of course I will have to give (my) 100 per cent, I have to win the fight, that's (an) important part, but there is no pressure, (only) responsibility is there, fulfil it and take the title," said the 30-year-old.
Vijender was on a visit to the Jamnabai Narsee School in suburban Vile Parle to promote the July 16 fight in Delhi, along with Bollywood actor John Abraham.
Vijender, who had won his first six professional fights inside the distance, is up against an opponent, who brings with him the experience of 30 bouts, of which he has won 23, out of which two were by knock-outs.
Exuding confidence ahead of the title fight, Vijender said, "He is a southpaw (left-hander) and I know him and he is a very experienced guy. I spoke to (my) coach. We will take him, it's not that difficult, don't worry."
"I don't want to say anything before the fight, pass any comment or any bad thing about him, like I am going to destroy him," said the bronze medal winner in the 2009 World Championship in middleweight (75kg).
"But I know, he has experience, I know that his recored is 35 or something, but it is a record right now. But I have an Olympic medal. I have got an Olympic medal, I did get (medals) in the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games. I can do that and I know that.
There will be five Under-card bouts on the same day even though Olympians Akhil Kumar and Jitender Kumar will be missing out as they failed to procure permission from the Haryana police.
Following are the Undercard bouts on december 17.
Welterweight (Indo-Australia): Pardeep Kharera vs Scott Edwards (Aust)
Lightweight (SE Asia): Kuldeep Dhanda vs Egy Rozten (Indonesia)
Cruiseweight: Dharmendar Grewal vs Abasi Kyobe (Uganda)
Welterweight (SE Asia): Deepak Tanwar vs Sutriyono Bara Boys (Indonesia)
Lightweight (Inter-Continental): Rajesh Kumar vs Mubaraka Sseguya (Uganda).
