Boxer Sahota to face Lohan in Vijender undercard fight

Indian-origin British boxer Sanjeev Singh Sahota will take on Vikas Lohan of India in one of the five undercard fights during the WBO Asia Pacific Middleweight Championship to be held at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex here on July 16.

Sahota and Lohan will engage in a four-round super lightweight bout leading up to the main event of the day -- the middleweight title fight between Indian star Vijender Singh and Kerry Hope of Australia.

Sahota, who turned professional recently, has won both his bouts so far, including one by knockout. Earlier this month, he defeated British boxer Silvije Kebet in a four-round contest to register his second win.

Sahota hails from the United Kingdom and has been training very hard for his upcoming fight against Lohan. The 24-year old hopes to follow in the footsteps of Hall of Fame legend Prince Naseem Hamed and two-time world champion Amir Khan as British boxing's next big star.

"I am very excited to be a part of a historical event and I am ready to fight. I've been training extremely hard and it's not just a fight, I am also representing all the British Asian and British community in India as I am the only one that I know of at the moment fighting from the UK," Sahota said in a statement on Wednesday.

"I am honored that my promoter has given me this great opportunity and I will give 150 percent. I am looking forward to meeting all the people in India who said that they will come and will be watching my fight in India and I'm just happy to have such a great support," he added.

Lohan who turned professional in April, has one fight under his belt.

"This will be a great learning experience for me along with proving myself. I have played only one bout since I turned towards professional boxing but that does not stop me from trying my best to win this undercard fight. I am hopeful that a lot of people from Haryana are also going to be there to cheer for me and boost my morale to win the fight," the Haryanvi boxer said.

--IANS

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