Boxer Vijender to make pro debut on October 10

Olympic bronze medal-winning Indian boxer Vijender Singh will make his long-awaited professional debut on October 10 at the Manchester Arena.

The 29-year-old from Bhiwani, Haryana, begins his pro career on the huge double world title show headlined by Terry Flanagan's WBO World Lightweight title defence against Diego Magdaleno and Liam Smith's challenge for the Vacant WBO World Super-Welterweight title against John Thompson.

Vijender had a decorated amateur career that includes winning the 2008 Beijing Olympics bronze, silver at the 2006 and 2014 Commonwealth Games, bronze at the 2006 Asian Games, 2009 World Championships and 2010 Commonwealth Games, gold at the 2010 Asian Games, and was rated the World No.1 middleweight pugilist in 2009.

To make the transition from amateur to professional, Vijender has set up his training base in Manchester at the gym of trainer Lee Beard.

Vijender's first fight will be over four rounds in the middleweight division against an opponent to be confirmed shortly. He will compete in the weight classes also comprising of elite fighters Gennady Golovkin, Miguel Cotto, Andy Lee and Billy Joe Saunders.

"I'm so excited to be making my professional debut at the Manchester Arena on October 10 and to show that India is the new force in professional boxing. This means so much to me personally and to all my fans in India who have supported me all this way," said Vijender.

Vijender is being promoted by Neerav Tomar, CEO of IOS Boxing Promotions, and Francis Warren of Queensberry Promotions.