Apurv Shukla
Reigning World Boxing Federation Asia Pacific Heavy Weight Champion Rohit Singh added a feather to his cap when he was awarded a gold Medal, Trophy and Certificate of Excellence by the World Boxing Council State Assembly on May 17, 2015 in USA.
He earned the honour for being the first Indian Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World. This capped off a successful Kiwi summer for the boxer, where he beat Mexican pugilist Ruben Rodriguez at Club Deportivo De Basquet Bol Veteranos, Guasave, and Sinaloa, Mexico on March 28, 2015.
It was a tough fight for Rohit against a strong opponent, who weighed 124 kgs.
Rohit knocked him down in the fourth round in 1 minute 36 seconds.
TKO win
Speaking to Indian Newslink, Rohit described how Reuben went down from his left hook to the jaw and then he threw a right uppercut to his face. This made Reuben fly out of the ring, then the referee counted, and the boxer did not get up.
Thus, Rohit won by T.K.O (Technical Knockout) and remained unbeaten in his stellar boxing career.
Rohit took active interest in the sport since he was seven years old in his hometown of Lautoka in Fiji.
An accomplished judo, taekwondo and karate exponent, he also holds a ‘Dan Black Belt.’ Hard work has been the key to his success.
Disciplined routine
He follows a disciplined routine and trains up to seven hours a day honing his boxing skills and fitness levels. It has been a tough road to glory for Rohit.
As an individual sport, boxing is demanding and its pursuers are under constant pressure to remain physically and mentally fit, perform well in the ring and keep their accounting books in black.
Rohit idolises Mike Tyson, Lenox Lewis and pugilists of similar calibre. His gaol is to fight for World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Organisation (WBO).
“These are expensive fights, held only in America. It would cost each competitor at least $20,000. I hope to mobilise the resources to achieve my ambition,” Rohit said.
Role Model
Rohit is a role model for the Indian community in New Zealand.
He has shown that sport in general and boxing in particular can be taken up as a career.
A resident of South Auckland, he can play the role of an Ambassador for Healthy Living and Eating for his adopted neighbourhood.
He also does a lot of charity work in both New Zealand and Fiji.
Endorsing the belief that men in the toughest of professionals are close to their families and long for their love, care, affection and most important of all encouragement, Rohit adores his young family comprising wife Ashwini, their sons Krishneel (18), Nikhil (5) and daughter Neha (12).
We have seen the immense hype and hysteria generated by the recent fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.
This again points to the strong popular and commercial appeal of boxing.
Rohit is keen to fight for the world title and in New Zealand, he has thrown an open challenge to famed boxer Joseph Parker.
Indian Newslink wishes him the best in all his endeavours.
