Is Vijender Singh the new Sachin Tendulkar? Even better
India's favourite boxer Vijender Singh had turned pro last year amid strident criticism. And not without reason. The face of Indian boxing had decided to look for greener pastures and leave the amateur circuit. What it meant, alarmingly for the Indian boxing fans, was that the Olympic medallist won't be taking to the ring in the Olympics, Asian Games or Commonwealth Games. When Vijender announced his decision last year, it was disaster for Indian boxing with the Rio Olympics only a year away.
But now that the Bhiwani pugilist has notched up four knock-outs on the trot in Pro Boxing, after he beat Alexander Horvath of Hungary in Liverpool on March 12, Indians have every reason to puff their chests with joy and pride, even if the stage is not the Olympics. Here are five of the reasons:
1. Finally a sporting star who charts his own course
Individual sporting brilliance in India has been few and far between. We have been starved of our Roger Federers, Carl Lewises, Sergei Bubkas and Mohammad Alis who would rule the world all by themselves, and whom we could idolise. Most of the big sporting stars from India who had had the world at their feet, from Dhyanchand to Sachin Tendulkar, had played team sports. Vijender now looks good to turn that around.
2. The next Floyd Mayweather
When Floyd Mayweather fought Manny Pacquiao for the welterweight title last year, it is estimated, the two fighters shared upwards of $300 million between them. Apart from earnings from fights, these boxers also earn a massive amount from endorsements. According to Forbes, Mayweather earned $300 million in 2015, which broke the record of legendary golfer Tiger Woods, who earned $115 million in 2008. Now that's seriously big money. Another reason to feel happy for Vijender.
3. India no more an unknown quantity
The following for a sport like boxing, and that too professional boxing, reaches a plethora of countries, unlike cricket, for example, which may have the numbers in terms of viewership, but is not as diversified.
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The India-Pakistan match in World Cup 2015 drew 288 million viewers, creating Indian TV history. But you tend to expect such numbers when the population of the country is a mammoth 1.2 billion, with a large number of them being cricket fanatics, and also when you consider the opponent and the stage.
Vijender versus a formidable opponent, with an adrenaline rush that boxing involves will ensure massive viewership too. As much as that is profitable for sports programming in India, the diversified viewership will take Brand India to a large number of people across continents.
4. We are as macho as anybody
It was matter of collective pride when Dara Singh twirled an almost 200kg King Kong over his head. It is a matter a folklore. The Great Khali became an instant star in India with his exploits at the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Vijender's success declares to the world in no uncertain terms: think of Indians as "soft" at your own peril.
5. A non-cricketing star. Great!
Till Sachin Tendulkar used to play, he was the presiding sporting deity in India. The craze around cricket is not going to fade anytime soon. But Vijender has the talent, he has the looks, and he is on a rampage. Can he be the next Sachin Tendulkar, the next really big sporting idol of the country?