By India Today Web Desk: Olympic bronze medalist Vijender Singh returned to winning ways as he outpunched Ghana's Eliasu Sulley in a professional boxing event 'The Jungle Rumble' at the Balbir Singh Juneja Stadium in Raipur on Wednesday, August 17.
Vijender Singh knocked out Eliasu Sulley, the reigning national West Africa Boxing Union Champion, as early as the 2nd round of the main card bout. Vijender began the bout on a cautious note in the first round but he changed gears, landing punches effortlessly in the second round. The Indian boxer used a series of upper-cut and hook as he pushed Eliasu to the ropes. Vijender's power left the Ghana boxer jaded.
Notably, it was a strong comeback for Vijender Singh, who bounced back from his first-ever pro boxing defeat last year. Vijender was defeated by his Russian opponent Artysh Lopsan in Goa through a technical knockout in the fifth round. Vijender had an envious 12-0 record until he met Lopsan last year but the Indian boxer has been able to successfully overcome the setback in his first pro boxing bout in 19 months.
THE WINNER OF #TheJungleRumble is the Indian Knockout King – @boxervijender
What a comeback after two years for Vijender Singh! Defeated the undefeated African Lion, Eliasu Sulley, by KNOCKOUT in the second round!
Congratulations, champion! #ProBoxing #Chhattisgarh pic.twitter.com/IchbLINEEy — Purple Goat Sportstainment (@purplegoatsport) August 17, 2022
Vijender now has a pro boxing record of 13-1 after handing Eliasu Sulley his first defeat after 8 successive victories. It was a dominant show from Vijender who just needed two out of the six-round bout to return to winning ways.
The referee had to stop the bout in the second round after Vijender landed a stunning hook even as Sulley had his back against the ropes.
"Yeah, my team is with me. Good to be back. It's a win after 2 years. We were busy with so many things, Covid-19 and all that. But it's good to be back, good to start the season with a victory," Vijender said during an interview on the ring on Wednesday.
"People think it's easy but it's not. You can ask my coaches," he added.
Vijender had been training in Manchester in the lead-up to the bout in Raipur against Sulley. Meanwhile, Vijender said he might fight in December 2022 or January 2023 next.
"I think we will fight in December or January again. We will be back to the gym next week," he said.
Vijender was seemingly happy to prove a point in front of the fans and was delighted to have his coaching team, which includes trainer Lee Beard, alongside him.
Notably, the Haryana boxer had rued not having Lee alongside him when he took on Lopsan last year.
Vijender faced the Russian boxer last year following a period of lack of competition due to Covid-19. Vijender had entered the bout in Goa without his team, which included trainer Lee Beard who could not travel to India due to restrictions.
