Indian veteran boxer Mary Kom has revealed that most young boxers are not prepared for the big stage, and they need to put aside their egos to be achievers.

Following the significant controversy over her [Mary Kom] automatic selection for the Olympics qualifier, that has since been reverted; the experienced boxer has claimed she is the only one fit to win a medal for India at the Major world events, and that young Indian boxers are not ready for the big stage yet.

The 35-year old boxer who last month had just claimed her eight medals [Bronze] at the World Boxing Championships asserted that nobody else apart from her is currently capable of winning the gold medal for India. This is because she had just switched her weight category 51kg ahead of the Olympics as it applies to the 2020 Tokyo Games.

Not until last year’s World Championships and Commonwealth Games, Mary Kom been previously competing in the 45-48kg category. When quizzed as to has a reason she switched weight category, she said: “ there is a reason to this, if I don’t keep on changing the weight, and stay in the Olympic category, who will win the Gold there”?

Truth be told, the youngsters are not ready yet. It will take a lot of time, as there is nobody as unique as Mary Kom. She has been a veteran who knows the in and outs of the boxing game at the highest level.

However, Mary refused to be specific as regards names, but her statement comes after the selection row with Nikhat Zareen, who competes in the same weight category as her. Just recently, Zareen has expressed her disappointment at the Boxing Federation of India, alleging that criteria have been bent, and they made decisions to send the six-time world champion for the Olympic qualifiers without a trial.

Written by: Olumide Akinnifesi