Vijender Singh enjoys knocking out big-talking rivals

Manchester: Sounding out a warning to future opponents after completing a hat-trick of Knockout wins, star Indian boxer Vijender Singh on Sunday said his rivals should think twice before making tall claims as it gives him immense pleasure to demolish their threats with his punches.

Vijender scored a Technical Knockout over Bulgaria's Samet Hyuseinov last night for his third successive win in the pro circuit.

The 30-year-old needed just two rounds to halt the Bulgarian. Hyuseinov had promised to send Vijender back to India "beaten and broken" but the Indian was one who did the demolishing act.

It was the first six-rounder of Vijender Singh's career, but he didn't need the extra rounds to finish off the experienced Hyuseinov. "Words were said before the fight by him which made me want to put on a powerful performance and I did that. He was good, but he wasn't good enough to live up to his words. If the opponent brings big promises he'd better deliver or he's getting knocked out," Vijender said.

"I train hard for every fight and make the fighting easy when I get in the ring. It was a great end to the year with three fights in three months since turning pro and now I can look towards a big 2016," he added. The confidence he has gained aside, Vijender said he continues to work hard on his technique.

"Winning three out of three fights is a brilliant start of my professional career and I will continue to improve my techniques further. I am happy to have Lee Beard and Haroon Headly as my trainers who are working hard to change my technique from amateur to professional in a short time," he said.

"Year 2015 was lucky for me, I turned professional and made my countrymen proud by an impressive start. I am sure my performance will be a big boost for professional boxing in my country" added Vijender.

Hyuseinov, on his part, admitted that he underestimated Vijender. "Singh was strong. I'd not seen him before and when I got in the ring he was a bigger than I expected. His punches are like thunder, he's so powerful," said the boxer, who had mocked Vijender for punching like an amateur before the bout.

Commenting on Vijender's victory, his trainer Lee Beard said, "I have seen a lot of boxers but Vijender is different from all of them. His passion and dedication has really impressed me."

"The way he started attacking Samet from the first round was an added advantage for him going into second round. He has an art of learning new things everyday and he never compromises with his training. I am confident that he will win titles in 2016."