Tal Singh and Bones Adams Interview

“My ultimate goal is to become a multi-division world champion.”

Liverpool’s Tal Singh has vowed to become the first ever Sikh world champion.

Thriving for greatness under the management of former unified light-welterweight king, Amir Khan, Singh’s professional journey as a light-flyweight has now taken him to the Bones Adams Gym in Las Vegas.

Regularly training alongside the likes of Devin Haney, Michael Hunter Jr and Shane Mosley Jr, Singh recognises the unique position that he has worked so hard to obtain.

“It’s amazing out here,” Singh told Boxing Guru.

“I’m in here every day rubbing shoulders with great guys.

“I’m surrounded by Olympic and world champions. It’s the best place that I can be. It’s the right environment I need to be in to achieve what I want to achieve.

“They’re sharing all of their knowledge and wisdom with me. I’m just grateful I’ve got these good people around me who are giving me the time.”

Following in the footsteps of Khan, Singh has put his career in the hands of former super bantamweight world champion Adams.

Whilst still adapting to life across the Pond, the 26-year-old is full of praise for his American tutor.

“It’s completely different out here,” Singh said.

“Bones is a teacher, not just a trainer. That’s what makes the biggest difference for me right now.

“He’s a former WBA super bantamweight world champion and he’s done it at the lower weight classes.

“It boosts your confidence right up when a guy who’s done it is saying that I can be world champion.

“In my opinion, I’ve got the best trainer in the world.”

Training his young prodigy hard in preparation for an expected professional debut towards the back end of this year, Adams is not short of confidence when predicting a bright future for Singh.

Having worked amongst the likes of Mike Tyson, Canelo Alvarez and Teofimo Lopez, the 47-year-old is no stranger to talent when he sees it.

“Tal will definitely be world champion,” Adams told Boxing Guru.

“He can do it at 105lbs, 108lbs and 112lbs.

“He doesn’t know it, but his power impressed me the most. He hits really hard and now it’s just about knowing when to use it.

“My main thing is the power. I was very surprised with how hard he can hit. We’re going to try and take advantage of that and knock a lot of people out.

“When he hits the pads directly and at the right distance, I think “wow”.

“At the moment we’re strength and conditioning up.

“There are fast guys coming in, but he’s long and lean and we’re going to use that to our advantage.

“He’s throwing half shots at the moment because this climate is so dry and it’s hard here.

“Once he gets comfortable in a month or so, he’ll be phenomenal.

“As long as he stays focused, does what I ask him to do and listens to me, then he will be great.”

Relishing the chance to step through the ropes in the paid ranks, Singh is eager to get back in action. Hoping to fight on the undercard of Khan’s next blockbuster showdown, the Liverpudlian explained his relationship with his manager.

“Amir is always in touch, shooting me messages and seeing how the training is going,” Singh said.

“We work as one team and we’re all in touch, discussing what we can improve and looking at all aspects of things.

“We’re working as a team and that’s what we need to be doing to move forwards.

“Amir is supposedly having a comeback fight towards the end of the year. If that all gets confirmed and goes ahead, then I’ll be jumping on the undercard of that for sure.”

Echoing the thoughts of most young boxers, Singh has set high targets for the future. Determined to reach world level, the role model to thousands of Sikhs around the world is clear on what he wants.

“I know the position I am in and I know that I need to maintain that,” he said.

“I’m just carrying myself professionally and I’m just being me.

“I do want to win a world title and like Bones was saying, I can move up and win them in different weight divisions as well.

“My ultimate goal is to become a multi-division world champion. That’s what I want to be.

“I can’t wait to eventually fight.”

Guiding Singh through his paces, Adams has every faith in his fighter’s ability. Highlighting the boxer’s strong mindset and attitude, the legendary trainer explained why he is so impressed with the former English national amateur champion.

“I set him up on purpose on the first day,” Adams said.

“I made Tal spar with a two-time Olympic silver medallist. I wanted to see what he could do.

“Tal held his own and that’s all I wanted to see.

“He’s working hard, he’s doing what he needs to do, and he wants it. The main thing is that you’ve got to want it and he does.

“We’ve got a diamond right here. He’s in the rough right now, but he’s going to be polished and shining soon.”

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