Sunday 29 January 2017 14:48, UK
Vijender Singh is proud to have opened the doors for professional boxing to thrive in India.
India's two-time Commonwealth silver medallist moved to Manchester to turn pro in 2015 and has since won all eight of his bouts - including seven by way of knockout - in the paid ranks.
Singh beat Australia's Kerry Hope in New Delhi last July to become WBO Asia Pacific super-middleweight champion and is convinced India will continue to emerge as an international destination for boxing.
"I'm quite proud to see four of five companies have now started to promote pro boxing in India and I think that's because of the success I have had," the 'Fighting Pride of India' told Sky Sports.
"Sport is growing in the country and I feel like I have opened the doors for boxing, which is a good thing. There is definitely now a bit of a craze for it and the interest doesn't just apply to men, even [India's 2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist] Sarita Devi has started pro boxing.
"There were almost 20,000 people at my fight in Delhi and lots of TV interest with something like 60 million tuning into Star Sports - which is one of the biggest TV networks in Asia - to watch it.
"It felt great going back home as a pro even though my training is based here now with Lee Beard in Manchester. The Indian people really love to see me fight in Delhi or Mumbai and they prefer that than seeing me fight in the UK."
Singh, who beat reigning WBC super-middleweight king Badou Jack at the 2008 Olympics, is happy with his progress since turning pro but admits there is still a long road ahead as he tries to become India's first world champion.
More imminently, Singh faces what looks to be the toughest test of his pro career to date when he travels to Leicester to meet hometown fighter Jahmaine Smyle on April 22.
"I'm really happy with my performances and have no regrets about turning pro and the journey so far," the hard-hitter from Haryana added.
"I don't think too much about the titles but idea is to maintain and keep winning and one day become a world champion. I'm going to try my best but I know there is still a long way to go.
"But it's going to be great to fight in Leicester. I went there last year to switch on the Diwali lights with the MP Keith Vaz.
"There are more Indian people living in Leicester than anywhere else in the UK so it's going to be amazing."
