Kaur Singh - only Indian boxer to fight Muhammad Ali - still revels appreciation from the legend

New Delhi, Dec 15: Kaur Singh, the only Indian boxer to have fought against legendary Muhammad Ali still recalls his bout against the legend that took place 37 years ago.

Singh, a Padma Shree and Arjuna Awardee boxer, is ailing with a severe cardiac problem for the last three years. He suffered a cardiac arrest three years back and in a bid to arrange money for his treatment he had to borrow Rs 2 lakh from one of his well-wishers. But he was unable to repay the loan due to the financial crisis.

Living in Choti Khanal Khurd village in Punjab with his wife Gita and sons Kaur Singh was completely dejected after realising that nobody came forward with any financial aid for himself.

The boxer had won three gold medals from participating in six international heavyweight boxing championships in total. He had also clinched a gold medal in the 1982 Asian Games.

The Union sports minister, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, recently announced a financial aid of Rs 5 lakh for his treatment.

Came to knw abt Kaur Singh, Padma Shree & Arjuna Awardee boxer struggling w/treatment for heart disease

Sir, आपने India का सर ऊँचा रखा, आज India आपका सर झुकने नहीं देगा!@IndiaSports is privileged to approve ₹ 5 lakh fr his immediate use frm Nat'l Welfare Fund fr Sportspersons

— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) December 11, 2017

Chief Minister of Punjab, Captain Amrinder Singh, too announced a financial support of Rs 2 lakh for the 68-year-old boxer, who is now almost bed-ridden for the last couple of years.

Kaur Singh’s timid and low voice became louder when asked about his historic bout against Ali in 1980.

He said over phone, “We were in New Delhi that time, practicing at the national preparatory camp for the Asian Games. Interestingly, Muhammad Ali was our hero. We had placed his one big picture on the wall of our rooms at the hostel.

"Suddenly we came to know that Ali, en route his trip to South East Asia, he had a stop-over for two days in New Delhi. Rajiv Gandhi, the former Prime Minister, had taken an initiative for a friendly match in New Delhi," he added.

"Rajiv had not joined full-fledged politics that time. I could not believe that the Boxing Federation of India had chosen me for the friendly match. It happened at National Stadium in New Delhi. It was a four-round bout.

"Obviously, Ali had won but I still rejoice when I remember his brief appreciation of my fighting style. He told me, you are very promising, can be a good boxer in the future.”

"Despite the financial crunch I have been facing for long, I forget all my pain whenever I remember the legend’s appreciation," he signed off.