Thursday 29 October 2015 16:58, UK
Three-time Commonwealth medallist Vijender Singh hopes he can lay the foundations for more Indian boxers to turn professional in the future.
Singh, who won India's first-ever Olympic boxing medal at the 2008 Games in Beijing, traded his motherland for Manchester earlier this year, to work with Ricky Hatton's former trainer Lee Beard.
Singh dazzled on his middleweight debut, stopping Sonny Whiting with a brutal four-punch combination at the Manchester Arena on October 10, and the 'Fighting Pride of India' thinks his achievements can transform the sport in his homeland.
"I don't feel under any pressure but I do feel that I have lots of responsibility," Singh told Sky Sports.
"When people at home found out I was turning pro there was a mixed response. Some people were critical, some said bad things, some said good things but I know there is a lot of responsibility because if I do well then people will follow in my path.
"If more boxers from back home come and join the pro ranks it will help stimulate the development of professional boxing in India. It could have a huge impact and could really boost the popularity of the sport back home, but it takes time to create that environment and that culture.
"I have had a lot of phone calls from other Indian fighters who are very good amateurs who are keen to see how I get on here and how I get used to the culture before they look to turn professional themselves. It's still all quite new for me but the beginning is always the hardest part and I'm just taking it one step at a time."
Singh was speaking at the Chess Room at the House of Commons where he was a guest of Labour MP Keith Vaz. Singh will travel to Vaz's Leicester East constituency on Sunday where he will switch on the Diwali lights along the Belgrave Road in front of an estimated crowd of 50,000 people.
He then travels to Ireland ahead of his second professional contest, which sees him face Dean Gillen at Dublin's National Stadium on November 7.
"I'm looking forward to returning to Ireland," Singh said.
"I spent a month there training with the Irish Olympic team ahead of the London 2012 Olympics. I know quite a few Irish boxers as well so it will be nice to go back there and fight as a professional."
Singh was pipped to the gold medal at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games by England's Anthony Fowler, but is probably best remembered for his controversial loss to Anthony Ogogo at the Delhi Games in 2010.
Leading 3-0 in his semi-final clash with Ogogo, Singh was twice docked two points by the ringside judges, which saw him lose 4-3 to the Englishman now signed to Golden Boy Promotions.
"I remember the points' deductions very well, but that sometimes happens in sports," he said.
"You have good days, you have bad days, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose but I don't regret anything in my life.
"But if I get the chance I'd be happy to fight him again. 100 per cent if I get the chance I will fight him again."
