NEW DELHI: The difference between Vijender Singh and Francis Cheka could not have been starker during the weigh-in for the WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight title bout at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex on Friday.
The former was all poise and charm, while the latter turned into an amalgam of playfulness and sledging. Thankfully for the promoters, both were playing their parts — of hero and antagonist, respectively — well.
First up on the dais, Cheka — having said most of what he wanted to in the last few days — spoke through translator and promoter Jay Misenga: “I haven’t got much to say today, but I’ll let my actions do the talking tomorrow.” He also made a gesture suggesting decapitation to back his claims. Known as the Semi-Machine Gun in Tanzania, Cheka is a former world champion in the same division, something that is bound to make his Indian opponent green with envy.
Vijender, though, also has something the visitor doesn’t possess: a bronze medal from the 2008 Olympics. He had been working overtime for the past two months in Manchester ahead of arriving in India on Tuesday.
He walked onto the podium with the eponymous song from ‘Singh is Kinng’ and theme from ‘Rocky’ playing in the background. He also punched away the notion that he might be feeling the heat.
“There’s no pressure. This is a sport and the whole of India is with me, right?” Vijender said as appreciative claps and whistles rang around. “I’m ready for Saturday night. I can’t wait to face Cheka in the ring.”
Of course, there needed to be some sentences in Hindi just to make sure his sentiments hit home. The words had the required rousing effect as the whistles became even more raucous, that too at a press conference!
“Knockout karne ki joh baat hai, woh mera kaam hai (knocking him out is my job). Boxing aap log mere upar chhod do (leave the boxing to me). Aisi hi seetiyan bajti rahengi, aur main maarta jaunga (people will whistle while I keep pounding away at him).”
There’s little doubt that Vijender needs this more than Cheka. It’s necessary for him to cash in on the gradual rise in following that his pro-boxing career took after he won the title in July in front of his fans here.
A loss will end his seven-match winning streak and somewhat dampen the wave of support he continues to garner with his likeable manner.
rohan@newindianexpress.com