It takes winners to sell a sport. In July this year, Indian pro boxing found its redeemer in Vijender Singh. The weigh-in, stare down and trash-talk ahead of his victory on home turf against Australias Kerry Hope, lent it character and swagger. A defeat could have possibly changed the dynamics. Irrevocably.Feeding off the success, the pro dream now stands on the cusp of turning into a bigger eventuality for Indian boxers. With Olympians Akhil Kumar and Jitender Kumar being the latest to join the pro circuit, five more Indian boxers, it is learnt, will follow suit within the next fortnight.Terming it a natural progression for amateur boxers, Infinity Optimal Solutions (IOS) CEO and managing director Neerav Tomar, India promoters of the reigning WBO Asia Pacific champion Vijender Singh, says that the idea is to create a complete ecosystem for pro boxing in the country. The concept is modelled on the idea of star fighters, says Tomar, To have Vijender, whos the biggest name in Indian boxing and now Akhil and Jitender on board, is an indicator of the potential pro boxing has in India.Set to contest as undercards in Vijender Singhs next fight night in India by the end of this year, Akhil and Jitender, Tomar feels, are names who can bring in the numbers. Its great that all three of us who were at the Beijing Games are now coming together in the pro circuit, says Akhil, It will be a new experience for me and Im really excited.Having won the Commonwealth Games bantamweight gold medal in 2006, Akhil, 35, lost in the quarterfinals of the Beijing Games two years later and was last seen in action at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. Jitender, 28, on the other hand, hasnt stepped into a competitive ring since 2010-11. Both, however, beat some strong opponents at the 2008 Games before their eventual loss.A great step in the Indian boxing sphere by @IOSBoxing, @Akhilkumarboxer and @imboxerjitender turn pro!- Mary Kom (@MangteC) 26 October 2016The financial lucre attached to joining the pro ranks is undeniable. With a steadily increasing number of boxers taking the pro route, the world boxing parent body, AIBA, as a workaround, floated its own pro boxing competition - APB - which allows boxers to turn pro while remaining under the patronage of their respective national federations and staying eligible to participate in continental championships. The economics involved in the APB though scarcely match up to even a fraction offered by global leagues. Currently, non APB pro boxers are not allowed to participate in Asian or Commonwealth Games. This year though, in a major step, the AIBA made provision for pro boxers to participate at the Olympics through qualifiers.?Akhil, known to have an open-guarded stance, says his style and preparation would differ largely from that of his amateur days. The gloves are smaller (8 ounce instead of 10 ounce used in amateur boxing) which makes the punches harder, faster and more penetrative, says Akhil, Boxers like Sugar Ray Leonard and Amir Khan have been successful on the pro circuit despite their open stance style. So that gives me hope. Only once training sessions begin would I get a clearer idea of how I can condition my style to suit a pro fight.Observing that Akhil should go conservative in the first few fights to build on confidence, Tomar says hes certain of most Indian boxers eventually making the pro switch. In terms of stardom, money, recognition and the worldwide opportunity to keep fighting on a regular basis, its unparalleled. Pro boxing is a promoter-driven sport. Its a lot like producing a film, he says.A pro boxer begins with four-round bouts which incrementally rise with experience, with the upper limit being 12 rounds. Boxers are paid on per fight basis with their opponents being decided upon and contracts inked and signed well in advance by promoters. Matchmaking is, in fact, one of the most strategic and carefully weighed decisions taken by promoters, the idea being to underscore their fighters star status and ensure an unbeaten record.Well before Vijender, Indias V Devarajan, a World Cup bronze medallist,?made a foray into professional boxing in the 90s; an experience the 42 year-old recalls with a measure of fondness and a tinge of hurt. Terming it a positive trend, Devarajan adds that the pro culture would help build a distinct brand, identity and following for the sport. I moved to England to turn pro and realized that it was a whole different world from amateur boxing. Sparring with pro boxers while an amateur helped me improve my footwork since theyre hard hitters, he says, Money is all that matters in the pro circuit. The boxers welfare isnt a major priority for managers. I suffered some pretty serious injuries but wasnt even enquired about. As long as youre winning its great, once you lose, youre as good as a race horse with a broken leg, waiting to be shot.Agreeing that a lot was pinned on the outcome of Vijenders July bout in New Delhi this year, Tomar says its important for the Beijing Olympics bronze medalist, whos won six of his seven bouts so far by Knock Outs, to extend his winning streak for the interest in pro boxing in the country to peak.We are riding on one mans superstardom. Kevin Durant Shoes Outlet . Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, announced Wednesday that the team would assign Swedish forward Elias Lindholm to his nations team for the upcoming tournament. Kevin Durant Shoes From China . The Hall of Fame defenceman told Landsberg that he believes fighting still has a place in todays game, but thinks staged fighting needs be outlawed. https://www.kevindurantshoescheap.com/ . Andrew Luck lost his favourite target and the Indianapolis locker room lost one of its most revered leaders when Reggie Wayne was diagnosed Monday with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that will cost him the rest of the season. Wholesale Kevin Durant Shoes . With their top three point guards and Kobe Bryant all sidelined by injury, the Lakers signed Marshall out of the D-League on Friday before their home game against Minnesota. Cheap Kevin Durant Shoes . The Masters champion and winner of last weeks Australian PGA has a three-round total of 14-under 199 at Royal Melbourne. "Im in a really good position for tomorrow," Scott said. EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New York Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins underwent testing on Monday, and the team is optimistic he avoided serious injury in Sundays 17-6 victory over the Detroit Lions, a source confirmed to ESPN.Jenkins left the game with what the team called a back injury.It was a nasty collision; we took every precaution we could, Giants coach Ben McAdoo said Monday, adding it was too early to say whether Jenkins would be able to play in what might be a playoff-clinching game for the Giants on Thursday. Everything checked out. Right now, its a painful bruised back.The NFL Network reported earlier Monday that the testing had ruled out the possibility of any serious internal injury.In a text to ESPNs Josina Anderson on Sunday, Jenkins said, Im good. Im fine.A source told Anderson that Jenkins was having the testing on his back to confirm that he did not have a compression fracture, as well as to evaluate for internal injuries.Jenkins was injured when he went to deliver a hit on Lions tight end Eric Ebron in the first half. Jenkins crumbled to the ground after the violent collision and was hhelped off the field by a trainer.ddddddddddddJenkins has started all 14 games for the Giants this season and has missed just four games in his five-year career.Hes tough, man. With the part of Florida hes from [Pahokee], those boys [are] tough down there, Giants starting linebacker and defensive captain Jonathan Casillas said after Sundays game. So I expect him to be back. I just dont know the severity of the injury.The Giants (10-4) can clinch a playoff berth with a win Thursday night in Philadelphia against the?Eagles. Veteran Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is expected to start in Jenkins place if hes unable to play.Jenkins, who signed a five-year deal worth $62.5 million this offseason, has been one of the Giants best and most consistent players. The team has used him to shadow the opponents No. 1 wide receiver.Jenkins has limited Antonio Brown, A.J. Green and Dez Bryant (twice) to well under 100 yards receiving.Information from the Associated Press was used in this report. ' ' '