Kaur Singh, A Farmer¡¯s Son Who Boxed To Gold at 1982 Asian Games And Fought Muhammad Ali In An Exhibition Match
A true legend.
A farmer's son, Kaur Singh has known adversity, but that didn't stop him from achieving his dream of becoming one of India's best boxers.
Having joined the Indian Army in 1979, he served the country and put his life on the line during the India-Pakistan war.
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For his selfless service to the nation, he was awarded the Sena Medal for his bravery and won Vishisht Sewa Medal in 1988. But it wasn't just the army, Kaur Singh was fighter in the ring as well.
A boxer who possessed tremendous agility and skill, Kaur's moment of reckoning first came in 1980. It was far better than laurels - Kaur Singh became one of the few boxers to have the once in a life opportunity to share the ring with the legendary Muhammad Ali.
Yes, arguably the greatest boxer to ever grace the land. It might have been just an exhibition match, but it was a moment to saviour for India's own boxing son Kaur Singh.
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In the same year, Kaur got his hands on the gold medal at the Asian Championships. It was the time people took notice of a boxing prodigy who possessed quite an exemplary punch.
He had come out of obscurity against Ali, but he punched his way to first international medal.
The things would get better two years later as Kaur Singh put up display of dominance to win gold at Asian Games. He was a beast who went through everyone and wrote his name in the history books.
Two years back, the man who once fought Muhammad Ali and won medals for the country, was compelled to raise a loan of Rs 2 lacs from a private money lender for his medical treatment.
It is another in the innumerable tale of forgotten heroes. The once revered sons of land are now not even remembered.
