Boxer Vikash faces Abaka in APB bout

Indian pugilist Vikash Krishan Yadav will face Kenya's Nickson Abaka on Saturday in an AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) match that will make him eligible for the Olympic qualifiers meant for professionals next month.

Vikash, who will take part in the 75kg bout, will have another chance at Olympic qualification when he travels with the national amateur contingent for a tournament starting on June 16 in Baku.

And if the 2014 Asian Games bronze medallist secures a berth in the Baku event, he doesn't need to go to Venezuela for the qualifiers meant for professionals to be held between July 3-8.

However, the 24-year-old said that even though he qualifies from the Baku event, he will try to compete in Venezuela to earn "exposure and experience".

"In the last three-four years we have not competed in many events from our federation. So, if I get a chance, I will definitely go to Venezuela," Vikash said in a press conference here on Friday.

"I am confident of qualifying in Baku. But the (Saturday's) bout is to ensure a second chance and also getting better with more exposure and experience," the 2011 World Championship welterweight (69kg) category bronze medallist added.

"I have trained hard in the last couple of months. I have been training for six to eight round bouts, and working on my strength and stamina."

Facing Vikash will be 34-year-old Abaka, a bronze medallist at the World Military Games.

Apart from this bout, three more bouts will take place at the Great India Place (GIP) mall in Noida. In the 91kg division, Kuldeep Singh will be up against Davanshu Jaiswal, while Brijesh Yadav will face Harjinder Singh. Madan Lal will meet Sandeep Bagri in a 56kg bout.

The event is funded by Delhi Amateur Boxing Association president Rohit Jainendra Jain, who is also the chairman of the Shail Group.

--IANS

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