VIJENDER SINGH TO DEFEND TITLE AGAINST AMUZU
AMUZU
Indian boxing star Vijender Singh is set to defend his WBO Oriental and Asia Pacific Super middleweight titles against Ghana's Ernest Amuzu in Jaipur on December 23.
Unbeaten in nine fights so far Vijender was last seen in action in August when he defeated China's No.1 boxer Zulpikar Maimaitiali to claim the WBO Oriental title.
"I am really excited on having my 10th fight in India in the Pink City of Jaipur. I am training hard in the ring for the last two months and still have three weeks to go for my next fight, so looking forward to winning the third title fight in a row," he said. Announcing the launch of his new promotional company Vijender Singh Promotions, he said, "the company will encourage the new talents and provide them a chance to be a part of a big show.
Ghana's Ernest Amuzu will also be looking to win the 26th pro fight of his career. He has won 23 fights, 21 of them Konckouts, and lost only two in his pro career. "So far Vijender has not faced any tough and experienced opponent like me, I am sure that after facing me in the ring he will realise how tough pro boxing is," the 34year-old boxer said. "I am ready and fully prepared to defeat Vijender Singh in the early 3-4 rounds Knockout win," he added. India produced a lacklustre and disappointing performance in their second consecutive match to go down 0-2 to Germany and end their pool engagements on a winless note at the Hockey World League (Final), here on Monday.
Bhubaneswar crowd had to return home disappointed once again as Germany scored two goals in the second quarter through skipper Martin Haner (17th minute) and Mats Grambusch (20th) to hand India their second defeat of the eight-nation tournament.
India, who drew 1-1 with Australia and lost 2-3 against England in their previous outings, thus finished at the bottom of Pool B table with just one point from three matches.
Earlier in the day, world champions Australia and England played out a 2-2 draw in their final pool engagements.
Dylan Wootherspoon (33rd minute) and Blake Govers (42st) scored for Australia, while Liam Ansell (4th) and Phil Roper (54th) found the net for England.
Having finished at the bottom, India will now play the leaders of Pool A in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, while Pool B's top-placed Germany (7 points) will take on the last team of Pool A.
Pool A standings will be decided on Tuesday after the final round matches between Argentina-Spain and Belgium-Netherlands.
The Germans came out strong in the first quarter, dominating the early share of exchanges.
The Indians, however, got their foothold as the quarter progressed. Both the teams tried hard but failed to produce any real goal scoring opportunities.
But the deadlock broke just after the start of the second quarter from Germany's first penalty corner.
The Germans kept up the pressure on the Indian defence and secured the first penalty corner of match, which Hanner converted with a ground flick to the right of a diving Akash Chikte in front of the Indian goal.
To the utter disbelief of the capacity crowd present at the Kalinga Stadium, the Germans extended their lead minutes later through Gramhbusch, whose strike from the circle beat Chikte after a deflection from Birendra Lakra stick.
Stunned by two goals, the hosts finally showed some promise and created a few good chances but failed to get past Germany custodian Tobias Walter, who was brilliant under the post.
Walter denied Mandeep Singh from a counter attack and then from the resultant move Akashdeep Singh's reverse went inches wide of the goal.
The German goalkeeper made three brilliant saves in the final three minutes of the second quarter.