Ace boxing pro Sahota wants to mentor Indian children

Stylish British-Punjabi boxer Sanjeev Singh Sahota, 24, has a twin dream: winning as many belts as possible and mentoring Indian children eager to jump into the ring.
The super-lightweight boxer's Indian connection was very evident at the Delhi's Thyagraj sports complex on July 16 when waved the tri-colour from the stage.
Sahota fought in one of the biggest matches of his career against Haryana's Vikas Lohan and got the better of the latter.The fight was one of five undercard matches in the WBO Asia Pacific Middleweight Championship, which saw boxer turned pro Vijender Singh beat Australia's Kerry Hope in the longest bout of his career to win the title.
Sahota, whose parents belong to Jalandhar district, was raised in Emerson Park, Hornchurch in Essex, UK and spent his teenage years in Spain. Despite his reputation and physique now, no one could have thought this was the career for him when he was younger. "I was an overweight child and was picked on due to this. I first walked into a boxing gym to train, but moments later I fell in love with the sport".
Apart from boxing, he also plays Kabaddi. After and aggressive bout, he likes to wind down with relaxing music. Bob Marley, Ed Sheeran and Adele are his favourites.
The boxer has only recently transitioned to professional boxing, and he has won all matches since. He says that it's best to be Spartan in the ring. Comparing amateur boxing and the professional circuit, he says, "The two carry different types or technique and training that equally deserve respect. Being a pro requires more focus on efficient body shots that are packed with power against lots of shots for overall points. I also need to ensure that my technique is perfectly performed in each fight and training session."
On the high-profile Sahota-Lohan match, Sahota says "It was an honour to be fighting in my place of origin, together with making history in India, being the first professional show in Delhi. I and Vijender are close friends and I'm happy for him for achieving so much in his career and on his Asian title fight".
Being a British-Asian boxer, Sahota feels the motivation and pressure to deliver on behalf of representing the diaspora and to encourage other Indian-origin boxers. "I'm very proud and feel I can't let people down as I must do it for the community. I want to help open the doors for people, showing that support is there if you keep working hard. It makes me so proud and honoured to give back to the community".
Indeed this initiative could be needed, as only 3 boxers have qualified from India for the 2016 Olympics ­ Shiva Thapa, Manoj Kumar, and Vikas Krishan ­ as opposed to the eight for the 2012 Olympics.