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
Natasha Jonas unified the welterweight division by defeating Ivana Habazin by clear points on Saturday to add the WBC title to her IBF crown at the Exhibition Center in Liverpool.
Jonas (16-2-1, 9 KO) was last seen defending her title in January in a hard-fought split decision over Mikaela Mayer, while Habazin (23-6, 7 KO) won the vacant WBC welterweight title in her home country. time out, winning by wide points over Kinga Magyar.
After a technical opening round, Jonas settled into a steady rhythm before landing a powerful right hand in the fourth round that crushed Habazin.
There was a rivalry, but the home favorite was much better in the rallies and seemed to be losing round after round.
This situation lasted until the final bell, when Jonas became the winner by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 99-92.
Price is closing in on Jonas’ match
Lauren Price definitely stayed on as a collision course with Jonas and easily defended her WBA and IBO welterweight titles after a third-round fight against Bexcy Mateus.
Mateus (7-1, 6 KO) was on board in the first round, after the Welshman landed a powerful left hand, and the Colombian struggled to match Price’s speed.
The same shot caused the 29-year-old to repeat the punch in the second round, and the round later ended when another stinging left hand stunned Meteus and she fell to the canvas, after which the fight was stopped.
Price (8-0, 2 KO) has agreed to face Jonas next, and promoter Ben Shalom revealed it could be announced next week.
Knife edge passes McKenna
Lee Cutler scored an upset victory to claim the silver WBC International welterweight title after winning a majority decision against Stephen McKenna.
McKenna (15-1, 14 KO) was eliminated in the first round, his knee touching the canvas after being tagged, and Cutler (15-1, 7 KO) took full advantage of his opponent’s weakness in the seventh round when his right hand plunged into his knee. The Irishman who ultimately fell once again.
McKenna was relentless in his attacks and landed a huge number of punches.
The balance of 94-94 was surpassed by the scores of 95-93 and 96-92, which ensured the victory for Cutler.
Jeffers stopped Quartey
Mark Jeffers is on track for large fights in 2025 after defeating Joshua Quartey to defend his silver Commonwealth super middleweight title.
A pair of right hands put Quartey (10-1, 9 KO) on the board, and although he broke the count, a well-placed body shot after the restart by Jeffers (19-0, 6 KO) blew the guy away again.
A crazy attack after the restart forced a stoppage.
Riley secures Chamberlain’s face-off with a stoppage
Viddal Riley finished the heavyweight fight and stopped Dan Garber in the second of the scheduled six rounds.
Riley (12-0, 7 KO) hit Garber (7-4, 2 KO) with his right hand, and then his next attack forced the referee’s intervention.
Riley’s next match will be against Isaac Chamberlain on February 1.
Undercard remaining
Mason Cartwright (21-4-1, 8 KO) won all six rounds at super welterweight against Dzmitry Atrokhau (16-25, 7 KO), and Hope lightweight Frankie Stringer (9-0, 1 KO) did the same in the fight against Tatenda Mangombe (3-9-1).
In the flyweight division, Mikie Tallon (6-0) defeated Benn Norman (7-7) with a body shot in the first round of the match, and then settled for a 59-54 victory.
The only fighter to fight four rounds in the super featherweight division was Mason Devine (6-0, 1 KO), who won every session against Jayo Fernando Duran (15-34-1, 14 KO).
Dillian Whyte has revealed his predictions for the hotly anticipated rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury on December 21.
Fury, who knocked out Whyte at Wembley Stadium in 2022, will seek revenge for the only defeat of his career in just 11 days, after losing to Usyk by split decision earlier this year.
Despite losing the night, “The Gypsy King” was a major success and many are struggling to pick a winner in his second battle against the imperious Ukrainian.
Some experts believe Fury needs to be more aggressive and take the lead if he is to win.
I’m talking to Social boxingWhyte revealed he shared that view, asking the Morecambe man to return to the game plan that saw him destroy Deontay Wilder in the return leg.
“It’s a great fight, man, I’m still trying to think – how will this fight go?
“Okay, Fury can make changes, but Usyk can make changes too. It’s a tough fight, a very, very tough fight for both fighters.
“If I were Fury’s coach, I would tell him he has to play aggressively.
“Fight him like you fought Wilder the second time.
“Bring back the aggression, bring back the tyrant!
“This is heavyweight boxing – you never know.”
It is unclear whether Fury will heed the advice of Whyte and others in the boxing world who have advised him to take the fight to Usyk, but looks noticeably heavier than before the first fight.
What are the changes? ❌@Tyson_Fury says he will exploit exactly the same game plan as the first time when he faces Oleksandr Usyk at the end of the month.
Thinks? 🧐 pic.twitter.com/VtpEwLJkWx
— Professional boxing fans (@ProBoxingFans) December 6, 2024
Win or lose, the 36-year-old could face a long-awaited home fight against Anthony Joshua, even though “A.J.” interrupted defeat against Daniel Dubois in September.
While it may not have been as great a spectacle as it once was, a clash between Joshua and Fury would still be by far the biggest all-British fight in recent memory.
As for Whyte, he returns to the ring next Sunday night and will face Ghanaian heavyweight Ebenezer Tetteh live on DAZN in Gibraltar.
The All-American fight between lightweight world champions Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson is one of the most anticipated fights in all of boxing.
Both Davis and Stevenson are undefeated multi-weight champions and are staples on any respected pound-for-pound list.
With this in mind, you could be forgiven for assuming that the pair locking corners in their prime years is a given, but that doesn’t seem likely to happen in the near future.
“Tank” spoke to the media at the press conference inaugurating his performance March 1 fight with Lamont Roach, and when the prospect of fighting Stevenson arose, he didn’t seem particularly interested.
The Baltimore hitter even went so far as to question what his compatriot did to deserve him.
“What for? Who has Shakur [beat]? What did Shakur do?
“What has he achieved in sports? He didn’t do anything! Juvenile people look better than him!”
“Keyshawn [Davis] you look so much better than that nigga! Shout it out nigga, he ain’t done nothing!
I asked Gervonta about a possible fight with Shakur… #Box #TankRoach pic.twitter.com/T1eNFJ9iIO
— Dwa O Dwa Z.. (@Noo_Barzz) December 3, 2024
“Why the hell are you saying his name?”
Like Davis, Stevenson will also return to action in the first quarter of next year, fighting against up-and-comer Floyd Schofield on the February 22 Riyad season card.
The Newark southpaw has been sidelined since his July decision victory over Artem Harutyunyan after he had to withdraw from a proposed October fight with Joe Cordina due to injury.
Saudi boxing boss Turki Alalshikh has expressed his willingness to have a fight between the two virtuosos, provided both are successful in their upcoming fights.
‼️ His Excellency Turki Alalshikh stated that he wants the Gervonta Davis vs Shakur Stevenson fight: “My plan for Shakur is this fight [vs Floyd Schofield]then William Zepeda, and then let’s see if Tank wants to come on our show.” [@DAZNBoxing] pic.twitter.com/Mmi6hO7Fjo
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBenson) December 3, 2024
While he undoubtedly has the talent to rival Davis, Stevenson is not as commercial a star as his rival, and some critics believe he needs to start giving more entertaining performances if he wants to get substantial names.
‘IF EUBANK JR VS BENN ISN’T NEXT, IT NEVER HAPPENS!’ – Ben Shalom also on Usyk vs Fury 2
“I Might Enjoy John Fury Spanking Me!” – Eddie Hearn On Whyte-Franklin
Referee Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk has always played a controversial role
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Carl Froch predicts that Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol
Cris Cyborg ready to add a UFC title to her collection
‘IF EUBANK JR VS BENN ISN’T NEXT, IT NEVER HAPPENS!’ – Ben Shalom also on Usyk vs Fury 2
“I Might Enjoy John Fury Spanking Me!” – Eddie Hearn On Whyte-Franklin
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