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Vijender Singh has single-handedly popularised boxing among the youngsters in India, and has become a youth icon winning adulation of the masses.

When he came calling to Nagpur Times office on Sunday for an interaction with Team NT, Vijender was at his usual affable, gregarious and chilled out best. From films, to phat gals, the pugilist answered every question in his inimitable bohemian ishtyle...

Training with Akki

Compliment him on his excellent physique that's the envy of many a film star, and Vijender shyly confesses: "It's all because of workouts and training." Grapevine has it that he's been training a lot with none other Akshay Kumar. "Yes! Whenever I'm in Mumbai, I call up Akki bhaiya and together we train for hours! In fact, even his son Arav has been training with us quite a few times for fun," says the ace boxer.

The 'GF' factor!

He has made his liking for B'town babes like Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone public. Ask him if he has made any frank overtures towards them, and pat comes the reply: "Sadly, both of them are committed! Par duniya khatam nahin hui! I'm still looking for a nice gal!" Ask him what are the qualities that he's looking for in his woman, and he replies with a cheeky smile: 'Girlfriend toh soni honi chahiye, aur wife simple!'"

'Girls handle me'

His fundas about the 'GF' and wife notwithstanding, the fact is that girls have been going gaga over him. Ask him how does he handle all that female attention, and he replies serenely: "My manager handles them, and if that's not enough, I just let the girls handle me!"

By the looks of it

Here's one boxer who isn't shy of saying things as they are - even when it concerns his looks! Ask him if his good looks are one of the reasons as to why he and his game have become popular, and he says, "Shayad! Agar main dikhne mein achcha hoon, toh it's natural that I'll get endorsements etc. But, I don't lose my focus, because I am what I am because of my boxing." And does he believe that upping one's style quotient is necessary to grab eyeballs towards a sport, and he says, "Main to pehle se hi tashan mein rehta hoon! So, it's not as if I've become stylish now."

'Jo dikhta hai, bikta hai'

Rag the hunk about his myriad television appearances, and he says with a laugh: "Jo dikhta hai woh bikta hai! Ab sab mujhe itne pyar se bulate hein toh jaana padta hai!"

Sports facilities

With sports like boxing and badminton gradually becoming popular, ask Vijender if he's happy with the facilities that his sport offers, and he says, "Boxing doesn't require too much infrastructure. It's a punch maro, punch khao game, and I am happy with the facilities." And what is it in the Haryana soil that's producing so many talented sportspersons? He says, "The state government is very proactive and announces good cash prizes for winners, and this incentive serves as a great motivator. Also Haryana is one place, which is still untouched by urbaneness. This desipan reflects in the performance of its sportspersons!"

Outside the ring

This dude has always been humble while facing the media. Ask him if his aggressive side takes over inside or outside the ring, and he says, "Yeah there were a few 'outside the ring' bashes years ago, but now my game has taught me to be patient and composed. It is very important to express the anger at the right time in a right manner!"

'I can play cricket!'

While Vijender makes it clear that he's not a fan of cricket, ask him if he'll be watching the World Cup, and he says, "Maybe, I'm not very sure." But, like any other young boy in India, has he ever picked up the bat and ball? He laughs and says, "I have for sure, and that too on grounds and pitches that were pretty bad in my village! I can play cricket really well!