Thanks to their decent showings in recent years, Boxing Federation of India (BFI) president Abhay Singh Chautala has pinned his hopes on the pugilists to bring laurels to the country in the upcoming London Olympics.
"There was a time when foreign pugilists used to take our boys lightly, but the scenario has changed now. We have been recognised as a world force in the sport. Today when our boys go in the ring the opponents are fearful of them," Chautala said.
Four Indian boxers -- Vikas Krishan (69kg), Jai Bhagwan (60kg), Manoj Kumar (64kg) and L Devendro Singh (49kg) -- have so far booked their tickets to the London Games, and Chautala said he was hopeful that the others will also follow the suit during the Asian Continental Olympic Qualifying Boxing Championship to be held in April in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Chautala said some of the boys could also qualify for the sporting extravaganza through the ongoing World Series Boxing (WSB).
"Five of our boxers have reached the World Series Boxing quarter-finals. The winners in the respective weight categories will directly qualify for the Olympics."
Chautala also said that WSB will help the boxers to gear-up for the tougher challenges ahead. "Normally there are three rounds in a bout, but here (in WSB) they have to fight five rounds, which will help them raise their stamina. Besides, the competition is also very tough."
He also revealed that the boys will travel to Cuba after the qualifiers for training.
"Currently we have a camp going on at Patiala. We have engaged 12 coaches including two foreigners to train our wards. The boys will also travel to Cuba after the qualifiers for the training," he said.
The president also reposed faith in the women pugilists.
"Three of our girls will participate in the upcoming qualifiers, and two of them are certainly medal prospects. That brightens our chances," he said.
The Indian girls will compete in the World Women Boxing Championship to be held in Qinhuangdao (China) in May with an aim to seal a berth for the London Games.
Chautala hailed the players for their effort in bringing the country on the boxing map and said the boys really "worked hard" to attain the status.
