Indian boxing star Vijender Singh will not compete in the Amir Khan-backed Super Boxing League, which will roll out from July 7.
Vijender, who is promoted by IOS Boxing Promotions, is the reigning WBO Asia Pacific super middleweight champion and is expected to defend his title for a second time next month after the IPL.
The Super Boxing League (SBL) will feature eight franchises and each team will comprise six players (five men and one woman with six back-up players per team).
The league will be promoted by two-time world champion British star Amir along with India partner Bill Dosanjh, who brought the Super Fight League, a mixed martial arts event to
India.
Dosanjh has spoken about the possibility of a Vijender- Amir showdown in the SBL but IOS rejected any such idea.
"We never had any discussion with the promoters of SBL on Vijender Singh fighting in their league. Hence, the possibility of Vijender fighting Amir Khan in the SBL does not arise," IOS Boxing Promotions' MD Neerav Tomar said.
Earlier, the Boxing Federation of India said it will not release its boxers for Amir Khan's pro-league.
The BFI has ruled out allowing any of its pugilists in the event.
The Super Boxing League (SBL) will roll out from July 7 to August 12. It will feature eight franchises and each team will comprise six players (five men and one woman with six back-up players per team).
The competition will be in six different weight categories with bouts of four rounds of three minutes each. SBL is being launched in association with AIBA Pro Boxing (APB).
"AIBA has officially given us the rights to hold Super Boxing League in India. They will be involved in the capacity of bringing to us the best talent from across the globe to be part of this league," Bill Dosanjh, Founder-CEO of Super Boxing League, said.
"The technical officials of course will be provided by APB," he added.
Despite the association with AIBA, the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has ruled out letting any of the national campers taking part in the league, saying that it would continue to work on its own league to be launched later this year.
"They have discussed with us but we have not agreed to support this. So our boxers will not participate. They are seeking backing from AIBA and BFI. BFI intends to start its own league," BFI President Ajay Singh told PTI.
Former world champion and Olympic medallist Amir Khan will be the face of the league in India and would be significantly involved in its running.
