Team Singh discuss fights with Faris Chevalier, Jake Carr and more
TEJ Pratap Singh will look to highlight his dramatic rise up the super middleweight ratings when he tackles Faris Chevalier on Saturday night at the North Sydney Rugby League Club in Cammeray.
The Melbourne-based Singh (4-0-1, 2 KOs) and Brisbane-based Chevalier (8-1, 5 KOs) will collide for the Australian super middleweight title, recently vacated by divisional firebrand Jake Carr.
“It’s a big step for me and definitely a new level,” said Singh in an interview with Aus-Boxing. “This is something I’ve been looking forward to. Fighting at a higher level before aiming to fight internationally.”
“I can tell you I will be trying my best. I’m training hard and know I will be giving him a good fight.”
“That’s all I can say, I don’t want to be giving out any predictions. I’ll be giving it my all.”
Ironically, Singh will fight for the belt against a fellow challenger, as opposed to fighting the long reigning champion Jake Carr, who he originally agreed to face in March, before illness curtailed the fight.
Although he will fight for the vacant belt, Singh is still grateful for the opportunity.
“With Jake Carr vacating his title, my trainer spoke to me and explained that this is a great opportunity and that I would be a great candidate to fight Faris,”
Like himself, Chevalier is not a fighter that is known to the masses, making him a difficult opponent to train for due to the variations in his fighting style.
The undefeated Singh, alongside his head trainer Gerry Murphy, have been quietly going about their business and are confident about their chances going into Saturday night.
“I have heard he is a good fighter,” explained Singh. “They say he has good movement. I know he has had nine fights with one loss, that’s all I know about him. Winning the title would be a relief,”
“I would be happy, it’s not like I have achieved everything,” Singh continued. “It’s one big step and a big achievement. It will give me some motivation to work harder.”
“I have been only boxing for four years, I turned pro in 2012. I started out just wanting to bash people when I was a teenager,”
“I began learning then I quit. Then not long I started back again and grew to like it and now I love it – now I love the sport – I really enjoy it.”
“When I feel low or feel not right, I go to the gym and just train and it makes me feel happier. It’s a motivation for me this sport.”
Singh’s sentiments were echoed by his head trainer, who believes his charge has prepared diligently for the biggest fight of his career to date.
“Tej is an exciting fighter who likes to hunt down his opponents and engage in a battle of wills in which he always seems to win,” said Murphy.
“He has a very tight defence but when hit can absorb the impact and return fire immediately. His biggest strength is his short punching that comes from all angles.”
Murphy has studied their looming opponent and in spite of his slick and counter-punching style, Murphy believes they will ultimately come out victorious.
“Chevalier likes to draw and counter,” continued Murphy. “Which is great if he can stay at a distance, but Tej is a master of cutting the ring and forcing his opponents to defend.”
“He likes to fire shots from a lower than normal stance which makes it hard for opponents to gauge.”
“This won’t work against Tej as he will force Chevalier’s hands to protect his head making his counters harder to administer.”
“Chevalier is a tough and seasoned competitor who has had great sparring but he will find the similar southpaw stance a little harder to deal with.”
If Singh is successful in winning the Australian super middleweight title on Saturday night, Murphy says he would welcome a fight with the former titleholder in the immediate future.
“We would certainly look forward to an outing with Carr,” added Murphy. “Both Carr and Tej have high work rates, but Jake’s lack of power could be his undoing.
“He’s normally accurate punching would be countered by Tej’s upper body movement,”
“I also believe Jake finds southpaws hard to deal with. I love and respect Jake as he has done numerous rounds sparring with my boys, but I think we know enough to take him to the wire.”
The Foley vs. Casey and Chevalier vs. Singh Australian title doubleheader will be live streamed on Epicentre, costing $14.95
Photo: Marty Camilleri/Marty’s Knockout Photography
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