India's Vijender Singh, in his own admission, is a bundle of nerves ahead of his professional boxing debut on October 10 in Manchester, England, against Sonny Whiting. But nerves is nothing new for the Beijing Olympic bronze medalist.


Vijender Singh at London's Cinnamon Club in June. Pic/Getty Images

"I was a lot more nervous in the changing room before my Beijing Olympics semi-final bout. I was also very nervous before my Guangzhou Asian Games gold medal fight. I won medals at both events, so I hope I can repeat that success next weekend," Vijender told mid-day from Manchester yesterday where he is working with the world-renowned trainer Lee Beard. The fight night is titled World War-III.

Vijender is India's most decorated amateur boxer with medals at the 2006, 2010, and 2014 Commonwealth Games, the 2006 and 2010 Asian Games, 2009 World Amateur Championships besides the 2008 Beijing Olympics. However, the last three months, since he announced his move to professional boxing, has been both emotionally as well as physically draining for the 29-year-old. "Daily training begins around 10:30am and it just doesn't end," said the Haryanvi with a hint of a laugh.