Navigating politics, where “one doesn’t know if the opponent is in front or right beside you”, has proven to be Vijender Singh‘s most formidable challenge yet but the multi-faceted boxer says he will not quit the arena until he “wins”.

Despite facing some of the world’s most fierce boxers in the ring, a roller-coaster ride that also left him with a broken nose, the Khel Ratna recipient says boxing pales in comparison to politics in the difficulty meter.

“Politics is very difficult. You can’t figure out people in politics, nobody talks straight. Politics is hard, I’m still learning,” the boxer, who started his political career with Congress before the 2019 Lok Sabha but switched to BJP ahead of the 2024 general elections, he said.