Indian boxing star Vijender Singh will face the most accomplished opponent of his professional career when he defends his WBO Super Middleweight Asia Pacific title against former world and current intercontinental Champion Francis Cheka on December 17.

The 34-year-old Tanzanian is a veteran of 43 fights with 32 wins including 17 knockouts and has tested himself against top super-middleweight talent including WBA world champion Fedor Chudinov from Russia and WBC international champion Matthew Mecklin from UK.

Cheka has 300 rounds under his belt in the 16 years of his career compared to Vijender’s 27 and has no fear fighting in India.

Cheka was formerly a WBF world champion.

Vijender, on the other hand, is undefeated in his seven-fight career including six knockouts so far.

Vijender claimed his first title at the Thyagaraj Stadium in July this year against Australia’s Kerry Hope.

On fighting Cheka, Vijender said,”Cheka is a highly experienced boxer, he has many bouts under his belt, but none of this demotivates me. I am training harder to match up to his level and hoping for another win.

“Once again my fight will be at home, just like last time the support that I got from the crowd was overwhelming and I am sure there will be more people who will come out to support me. I am confident of my win; I feel my stance is becoming better with every training session that I am undergoing.

“My trainer also feels that my punches are stronger than before and he has also put me under high intensity training. I am sure of protecting my title with as much pride as I won it. I am going to leave no stone unturned to make sure my title stays with me,” he added.