WBO Super Middleweight Asia Pacific champion Vijender Singh has terminated his contact with his UK promoter Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions for not honouring the contract. Vijender, who is managed by IOS Boxing Promotions in India, will continue to work with his India promoters in a bid to defend his title.
According to a statement released jointly by Vijender and IOS, “The reason behind terminating this contract is Queensberry Promotions not honoring and delivering their contractual obligations for more than a year.”
The boxer was reportedly miffed as his UK promoters had not managed to organise a single bout over the last one year in UK. His two bouts in India were promoted by IOS. Vijender has not competed since last December, spending his time only training in England. He must defend his title within six months of winning it or else will have to give up the title. The legal implications coming out of this break up will be known in due course.
To help Vijender remain in contention on the pro circuit, IOS has announced a bout in July in Mumbai, details of which are being worked out.
Vijender, 2008 Beijing Olympics bronze medalist, had turned pro in 2015. He and Queensberry Promotions entered into an agreement in the mid 2015. Vijender has now decided to stay only and exclusively with IOS Boxing Promotions.
His first six UK fights were promoted by Queensberry Promotions in UK and two title fights in India were promoted by IOS Boxing Promotions. Vijender remains undefeated in the professional circuit at 8-0, and has reached a world ranking of No.10 in the WBO rankings.
Vijender said, “There were a lot of things that Queensberry Promotions had committed to me as part of their contractual obligations, but failed to deliver. I have had a very good career with them, but not fulfilling what you commit is something I don’t agree. Maybe in future Queensberry and I may work together, but as of now I am only working with IOS Boxing Promotions. I am looking forward to have my next fight in July 2017 in Mumbai.”
Commenting on this development, Brig (retd.) P.K.M. Raja, president of the Indian Boxing Council that governs pro boxing said, “In India, it (pro boxing) will take time to establish. It is a new sport as far as India is concerned. Its quite a hard task for promoters, boxers, everybody, but it will grow here.”
Neerav Tomar, promoter, IOS Boxing Promotions said, “In order to ensure Vijender’s career progression in the professional boxing world, IOS on their own accord invested heavily and promoted his two title fights.”
