Indian boxer Vijender Singh’s opponent for his next bout, Zulpikar Maimaitiali of China, on Friday backed out of the April 1 contest. The event, however, is scheduled to go ahead as planned in Mumbai with a different rival, PTI reported.

The super middleweight contest would have seen the Indian’s WBO Asia-Pacific belt and the Chinese boxer’s WBO Oriental title on the line in a winner-takes-all bout.

Vijender’s promoters IOS Boxing Promotions informed PTI that Zulpikar did not specify any reasons for pulling out, adding that he preferred to fight Singh later in the year.

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The promoters are said to have initiated talks with other international boxing champions in the same weight category, the report added.

“I like to take things positively, I am sure Zulpikar has his reasons for not fighting,” Vijender was quoted as saying. “However, I am ready to fight whoever is my next opponent, my promoters are working towards it and I am sure they will come up with another challenger. I am preparing myself for whoever is willing to fight,” he added.