Vijender speaks of returning the title for India-China border peace

Indian boxer and WBO Asia-Pacific Super Middleweight champion Vijender Singh celebrates after winning the double title bout against China's Zulpikar Maimaitiali at the National Sports Complex of India (NSCI) Dome in Mumbai on August 5, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / PUNIT PARANJPE

Mumbai: Soon after getting the better of his Chinese opponent at 'Battleground Asia', India's star boxer Vijender Singh urged for peace amid the Indo-China border stand-off and offered to return his title to his Chinese counterpart. Vijender's stature grew a few notches as he outslugged his Chinese opponent Zulpikar Maimaitiali in a close bout to annex the WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight title. It was double delight for the fans as Vijender also snatched the WBO Oriental Super Middleweight title from the Chinese. "I want to give back this belt to Zulpikar. I hope for peace in the border and the message is about peace. That is most important," Vijender, an Olympic bronze medallist, said after his bout. Speaking exclusively to ABP News, Vijender leter said Zulpikar also gifted him his cap as a mark of respect after hearing his wish of returning the title back to him. "A youngster feels very bad when a title is snatched away from him. He can get frustrated also. Like he did and ended committing fouls. So I want to send a message to him and China, that India is a peace loving country and we don't want tension in the border," said Vijender. For weeks, India and China have been involved in a stand-off along part of their shared border. It was the 32-year-old's ninth successive win in his professional career. While Vijender had commented that "Chinese products don't last long" prior to his bout, Zulpikar's spirited show left him surprised. "I was under the impression that the Chinese would not last long, but he has left me surprised with the way he fought," Vijender said.