Indian boxer Vijender Singh’s opponent for his next bout, Zulpikar Maimaitiali of China, on Friday backed out of the April 1 contest. The event, however, is scheduled to go ahead as planned in Mumbai with a different rival, PTI reported.
The super middleweight contest would have seen the Indian’s WBO Asia-Pacific belt and the Chinese boxer’s WBO Oriental title on the line in a winner-takes-all bout.
Vijender’s promoters IOS Boxing Promotions informed PTI that Zulpikar did not specify any reasons for pulling out, adding that he preferred to fight Singh later in the year.
The promoters are said to have initiated talks with other international boxing champions in the same weight category, the report added.
“I like to take things positively, I am sure Zulpikar has his reasons for not fighting,” Vijender was quoted as saying. “However, I am ready to fight whoever is my next opponent, my promoters are working towards it and I am sure they will come up with another challenger. I am preparing myself for whoever is willing to fight,” he added.