Interviews
EXCLUSIVE: Sukhdeep Singh Bhatti – The Prince of Punjab
India, with a population of 1.35 billion, has yet to produce a single professional boxing world champion.
Indian boxing’s poster boy Vijender Singh led the charge, winning Olympic and world championship bronze medals before signing as a pro with Frank Warren and then Top Rank, amassing an unbeaten record of 12-0.
However, at 35 years elderly and not seen in the ring since 2019, it is tough to see how much more Singh can achieve.
The task of shining a airy on boxing in his region now falls to 28-year-old Sukhdeep Singh Bhatti (8-0, 3 KOs).
Sukhdeep, who had modest results in amateur competition compared to the likes of Singh, gained attention at national level, which led to him signing with Canadian promoter Tyler Buxton.
India’s current pound-for-pound number one spoke exclusively to Adam Noble-Forcey about how the kid from Punjab ended up in Ontario.
“After good results in the village, state and national competitions, the same family that founded the academy in my village gave me the opportunity to come to Canada periodically and train with Ryan Grant, my current coach and confidant.
“I came for stints and realised that the training, expertise and resources in Canada helped me develop at a faster pace than the training in Punjab, so I tried to come as often as I could from my early 20s onwards.
“When I turned pro and signed with Tyler Buxton at United Promotions, I decided Canada was where I needed to be to elevate my game and get to the next level.”
Having boxed exclusively as a professional in Canada, Sukhdeep appeared to be fully recovered in his fresh home.
“Canada is a breath of fresh air. This country is way ahead of the curve when it comes to accepting other cultures, and I have never felt out of place here.
“The boxing scene here has been steadily improving over the years I have been boxing here. I routinely have the opportunity to train and spar with some of the fighters who will be making a mark in their division in the near future.
“Of course, there is still a long way to go before our fighters reach the level of those in the US, Mexico and many other major countries, but the work is really progressing,” Bhatti told proboxing-fans.com.
Having grown up in a country where cricket plays a dominant role, where did Sukheep get the inspiration to try his hand at boxing?
“I remember when I was very youthful, I used to roam around the Sher-E Punjab Sports Academy premises.
“I had an ongoing dispute with one of the boxers who trained there. At that time, I knew only one way to settle the score, and that was a brutal win or loss.
“But one of my trainers found out about my problem with the boxer and told me the only way to resolve the dispute was through professional boxing. I put on gloves, started training every day and never looked back.
Most of them are inspired by large names like Ali, Hagler, Robinson etc. However, Sukhdeep’s lust for boxing came from a more organic source.
“Where I grew up in Punjab, we heard murmurs about ‘this and that’, but boxing and other sports were much less televised and [even less] more is said than in the West.
“There were definitely certain fighting styles that I was more drawn to and enjoyed watching growing up, but I don’t remember anyone really standing out to inspire me to box.
“As primitive and cluttered as it may sound, I have always loved fighting. At first, I was driven by victory. But as I got older, it became more about my passion for art and making a name for myself for my family, friends, my village and my people.
I was curious to hear the middleweight’s opinion on whether India is a potential sleeping giant in boxing, with its passion for the sport and sometimes tough conditions.
“His [boxing] is immense and very competitive for both male and female boxers. The population alone ensures that there will always be very talented fighters.
“The problem is that sports are not a priority, and among the sports that are given some emphasis, combat sports don’t stand a chance. The raw potential is definitely there.
“For example, in Punjab, where agriculture is our livelihood, we come from endless generations of farmers. Therefore, this gene pool is more likely to have a forceful constitution and/or stamina to withstand the most tough occupations and climates. However, resources and priorities do not allow for a good solution to this situation.
“There is potential to satisfy people’s hunger. But if we know that much more is needed, resources are needed! What papers on the cracks [at the moment] these are examples of generosity and love from independent donors. It was the same with me!
“The real question is whether the government will provide further funding and incentives for the health and well-being of its citizens. Let’s hope the necessary changes are made.”
Undefeated and sitting atop the current Boxrec India rankings in pounds, where and who is next for the boxing prince of Punjab?
“I’m focused on myself and training every day. I trust Tyler to be my ‘who’ guy. Of course I could give you a list of headliners and pay-per-view titleholders I’d like to box, but really, this is the basis for me fighting the fight. Tyler just tells me where and when and he knows I’ll be ready.
“Of course it’s great to be undefeated. I feel privileged to be in this position and to have such an amazing team of people behind me. Although my record is impeccable, there are certainly areas that need constant nourishment and improvement.
“In the near future I want to improve and be the best I can be. In the medium term I am hungry for more titles and exposure. I want to leave my mark on boxing! In the long term I want to inspire others who come from developing parts of the world to do the same, where opportunities are meager.
“For me, it’s all about becoming and then, very soon, giving back.”
Author: Adam Noble-Forcey
Follow Adam on Twitter @Adam4cSports
Eddie Hearn believes Tyson Fury will retire after a legacy-defining clash with Anthony Joshua.
Fury stunned the boxing world on Monday when he announced his retirement from the sport, leaving behind a megafight with Joshua.
The “Gypsy King” announced his shocking decision less than a month after suffering, among other things, second defeat in a row against Oleksandr Usyk in Riyad, but Joshua’s promoter, Hearn, is convinced that the fighter from Morecambe will return to the ring to fight the long-awaited showdown with “AJ”, who is returning after a fifth-round defeat to Daniel Dubois.
“In my opinion, I think he will come back,” the 45-year-old said talkSPORT.
“But I don’t know him well enough to judge that.
“He’s coming back after two defeats, and these defeats hurt the boys.
“AJ was devastated by the defeat to Dubois and I’m sure Fury was too [with his defeats to Usyk]both are winners.
“I don’t know if Fury can leave one of the biggest fights in the history of the sport on the table.
“I know he’s a competitor. I know he will want to give the British fight fans what they want and I hope we see more of him.
“But if we don’t, God bless the speed and all the best.”
Fury hung up his gloves after defeating Dillian Whyte in April 2022, only to return eight months later for a third fight with Derek Chisora, whom he defeated comfortably at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Hearn said Joshua will now look to secure a clash with the winner of the February 22 fight between his former rivals Dubois and Joseph Parker, who will fight in Riyad for the IBF heavyweight world title.
If Fury returns to fight AJ, the Matchroom boss insists the loser would have nowhere to go.
“They would both be devastated by defeat,” he added.
“It’s one thing to lose the world heavyweight title, but at the same time losing in a fight of this magnitude is the biggest bragging rights.
“At this stage of their career, the last word is goodbye.
“Whoever loses this fight is finished and whoever wins it moves on and that’s what you fight for.
“You’re not just fighting for a legacy, you’re fighting to save your career.
“It’s a huge fight, but it’s not on the table right now.”
Callum Simpson defended his British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles after a second-round victory over Steer Woodall on Saturday at the Park Community Arena in Sheffield.
Simpson (16-0, 11 KO) proved too good for Zak Chelli in his last competition and went on to sweep wide and claim the British and Commonwealth titles last August. Woodall (19-3-1, 12 KO) picked up his best career win, stopping Lerrone Richards in six rounds in an upset in Bolton last June.
This attack ended quickly in the second round, with a right uppercut that left Woodall on wobbly legs, and then another attack punctuated by another right uppercut, leaving “The Stallion” on the deck.
Despite beating the count, referee Mark Bates waved off the fight shortly afterwards.
Simpson dedicated his victory his dead sisterwho died tragically in August in a road accident.
“It’s bittersweet,” the 28-year-old said Heavenly sports after the fight.
“I won these titles in front of all my fans, but there’s one person that I think everyone knows who I wish was here, but I know she’s looking down on me and I make her proud.”
Dubois is tied with Camara
On the card below, Caroline Dubois (10-0-1, 5 KO) made her first defense of her WBC lightweight title against Canadian Jessica Camara (14-4-1, 3 KO), but the fight ended in a technical draw.
The fight was stopped due to a cut to Camara’s left eye from the head collision, and she also went down in the first round.
Forrest stops Miller
Cruiserweight prospect Scott Forrest needed just two rounds to defeat Deevorn Miller.
Miller (8-3, 6 KO) lost once in the first and second rounds, while Forrest (7-0, 4 KO) won outright.
Undercard remaining
In the featherlight heavyweight division, where Billy Deniz defeated Mickey Ellison (15-8, 5 KO) by one point.
Deniz (13-0, 5 KO) won with a score of 77-76.
In the six-round middleweight division, Sam Hickey (2-0, 1 KO) stopped Lewis Howells (3-2) three times en route to a first-round victory, and Mauro Silva (7-0, 3 KO) scored a 59-56 victory against Emmanuel Zion (6-3, 3 KOs).
Ellis Price (2-0, 1 KO) stopped Liam Fitzmaurice (0-1) twice en route to a first-round lightweight victory.
Lauren Price believes Natasha Jonas was pressured into fighting her ahead of their March 7 unification clash.
Price will put his WBA and IBO welterweight titles on the line when he faces IBF and WBC champion Jonas live at the Royal Albert Hall. Heavenly sports.
Jonas’ coach, Joe Gallagher, has said he would prefer to see the 40-year-old retire, and Price, who won Olympic gold in 2021, is doubtful whether her rival wants to face her.
“I don’t think either of them wanted this fight,” the 30-year-old said proboxing-fans.com.
“But like I said, she has two belts, I have three and it’s just a great fight.
“The fight is signed, sealed and announced, so on March 7 we will see who will be the best.
“If you look at my amateur record, Olympic gold medalist, I haven’t lost a single round as a professional.
“The performance I am up against [Jessica] McCaskill in Cardiff against the legitimate world champion, the proof is in the pudding.
“I’ve got it. I’m in my youth.
“She’s coming to the end of my career and I don’t blame her, but in the end she has something that I want and that’s really it, there’s nothing personal.”
Jonas secured the WBC crown with a unanimous decision victory over then-champion Ivana Habazin in December in Liverpool, moments after Price defeated Bexcy Mateus in three rounds on the same bill.
The pair then clashed during a heated post-fight interview to confirm their upcoming match.
The Welshwoman believes that her youth, speed and dominance in the ring will allow her to defeat the experienced Liverpool resident on Friday in eight weeks.
Asked what her advantage was over Jonah, Price added: “Probably my youth.
“Reading the fight, my ring IQ, my speed.
“The little feints, the triggers I do, people reading me.
“Everyone says they will do it, they will do it until I stand in front of them, so we will see on March 7.
“But overall I think I’m just better and I believe I’ll win.”
Watch the full interview with Lauren Price:
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