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Speaking to PTI from New Jersey (USA), where he has been training for more than two months, the former World Championships bronze-medallist said he has his eyes set on the professional arena.
“I have plans to turn professional by the end of this year or the beginning of next year. I want the support of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI). If our BFI President Mr Ajay Singh is okay with the move, I will seriously consider it. The International Boxing Association (AIBA) has already ended the divide between amateur and professional,” Vikas said.
“I want to compete for the country in amateur events and that is why, I would wait for the national federation’s approval to turn professional. The new federation has been doing a good job of rebuilding boxing and it would be a morale-booster for me if the federation is with me in my decision whenever it happens,” he added.
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“We have been in touch with him. As of now, there is no policy for professional boxers so we are neither supporting nor stopping anyone from going the professional way. We would thrash out a policy next month and boxers would be free to go professional after registering with us but within the ambit of AIBA rules and regulations,” Kowli said.
“As a former boxer, I am all for boxers getting the maximum out of their talent in every arena but as Secretary General of a national federation, I would have to ensure that discipline is maintained,” he added.
Vikas, a former youth world champion besides being an Asian Championships silver-medallist, has already been training with professional boxers in the US.
“It has helped me immensely. My endurance has improved drastically, which was a weak point of my overall game. I used to struggle to last three rounds but now I can sustain through six or even seven rounds. Sparring with professional boxers has helped me immensely,” he explained.
The middleweight boxer also detailed his training schedule in the US, from where he is set to return early next month.
“I have three sessions of two and half hours each daily. The first is dedicated to endurance, the second is focussed on strength and conditioning, and the final session is devoted to boxing,” he said.
“This focussed training is 10 times harder than what I have ever experienced in India. Training here has redefined boxing for me. I have also become better at pressure-handling,” he added.
In immediate future, Vikas said he is eyeing selection in the Asian Championships to be held either in June or July later this year. The venue for the event has not yet been finalised.