Super middleweight Vijender Singh, a three-time Olympian from India, has moved his training base to Southern California to work with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach as he prepares for his United States debut.
Singh (10-0, 7 KOs) signed a multiyear promotional contract with Top Rank in November. He will fight for the first time under the deal — in his United States debut — on the undercard of pound-for-pound king and unified lightweight world champion Vasiliy Lomachenko’s mandatory defense against former titlist Anthony Crolla on April 12 (ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET) at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Singh does not yet have an opponent for his eight-round fight, but he will have the renowned Roach in his corner for the first time.
“I am thrilled to start my training under such a legendary figure in world boxing,” Singh said on Wednesday. “It’s a great honor for me to train with Freddie, who has already trained so many world champion boxers.
“Professional boxing in the United States is of the highest level, and I believe Freddie is the right guy to bring the best out of me. I look forward to showing the boxing fans a new and improved Vijender Singh. I know that with Freddie’s guidance, I can become a world champion.”
Roach has trained numerous world champions and top fighters, but he is best known for his long association with eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao.
“I believe Vijender has the talent and the dedication to become a world champion,” Roach said. “He has a great amateur background, a style that will give any super middleweight in the world problems, and power in both hands.”
The move to Roach was endorsed by Top Rank chairman Bob Arum, who has known Roach for decades and has had many fighters he promotes work with him.
“Vijender represents the most populous country in the world. We believe that with Freddie in his corner, Vijender will become a major star and open up the great country of India to boxing,” Arum said.
Singh, 33, represented India in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympics, taking home a bronze medal from the 2008 Beijing Games. He turned pro in 2015 and has fought primarily in India or England, with one bout taking place in Ireland.
Due to his amateur boxing success, Singh is a celebrity in India, where he has made appearances in Bollywood films and on the popular Indian dance reality show “Nach Baliye.” He has not had a fight since December 2017.