It takes winners to sell a sport. In July this year, Indian pro boxing found its redeemer in Vijender Singh. The weigh-in, stare down and trash-talk ahead of his victory on home turf against Australias Kerry Hope, lent it character and swagger. A defeat could have possibly changed the dynamics. Irrevocably.Feeding off the success, the pro dream now stands on the cusp of turning into a bigger eventuality for Indian boxers. With Olympians Akhil Kumar and Jitender Kumar being the latest to join the pro circuit, five more Indian boxers, it is learnt, will follow suit within the next fortnight.Terming it a natural progression for amateur boxers, Infinity Optimal Solutions (IOS) CEO and managing director Neerav Tomar, India promoters of the reigning WBO Asia Pacific champion Vijender Singh, says that the idea is to create a complete ecosystem for pro boxing in the country. The concept is modelled on the idea of star fighters, says Tomar, To have Vijender, whos the biggest name in Indian boxing and now Akhil and Jitender on board, is an indicator of the potential pro boxing has in India.Set to contest as undercards in Vijender Singhs next fight night in India by the end of this year, Akhil and Jitender, Tomar feels, are names who can bring in the numbers. Its great that all three of us who were at the Beijing Games are now coming together in the pro circuit, says Akhil, It will be a new experience for me and Im really excited.Having won the Commonwealth Games bantamweight gold medal in 2006, Akhil, 35, lost in the quarterfinals of the Beijing Games two years later and was last seen in action at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. Jitender, 28, on the other hand, hasnt stepped into a competitive ring since 2010-11. Both, however, beat some strong opponents at the 2008 Games before their eventual loss.A great step in the Indian boxing sphere by @IOSBoxing, @Akhilkumarboxer and @imboxerjitender turn pro!- Mary Kom (@MangteC) 26 October 2016The financial lucre attached to joining the pro ranks is undeniable. With a steadily increasing number of boxers taking the pro route, the world boxing parent body, AIBA, as a workaround, floated its own pro boxing competition - APB - which allows boxers to turn pro while remaining under the patronage of their respective national federations and staying eligible to participate in continental championships. The economics involved in the APB though scarcely match up to even a fraction offered by global leagues. Currently, non APB pro boxers are not allowed to participate in Asian or Commonwealth Games. This year though, in a major step, the AIBA made provision for pro boxers to participate at the Olympics through qualifiers.?Akhil, known to have an open-guarded stance, says his style and preparation would differ largely from that of his amateur days. The gloves are smaller (8 ounce instead of 10 ounce used in amateur boxing) which makes the punches harder, faster and more penetrative, says Akhil, Boxers like Sugar Ray Leonard and Amir Khan have been successful on the pro circuit despite their open stance style. So that gives me hope. Only once training sessions begin would I get a clearer idea of how I can condition my style to suit a pro fight.Observing that Akhil should go conservative in the first few fights to build on confidence, Tomar says hes certain of most Indian boxers eventually making the pro switch. In terms of stardom, money, recognition and the worldwide opportunity to keep fighting on a regular basis, its unparalleled. Pro boxing is a promoter-driven sport. Its a lot like producing a film, he says.A pro boxer begins with four-round bouts which incrementally rise with experience, with the upper limit being 12 rounds. Boxers are paid on per fight basis with their opponents being decided upon and contracts inked and signed well in advance by promoters. Matchmaking is, in fact, one of the most strategic and carefully weighed decisions taken by promoters, the idea being to underscore their fighters star status and ensure an unbeaten record.Well before Vijender, Indias V Devarajan, a World Cup bronze medallist,?made a foray into professional boxing in the 90s; an experience the 42 year-old recalls with a measure of fondness and a tinge of hurt. Terming it a positive trend, Devarajan adds that the pro culture would help build a distinct brand, identity and following for the sport. I moved to England to turn pro and realized that it was a whole different world from amateur boxing. Sparring with pro boxers while an amateur helped me improve my footwork since theyre hard hitters, he says, Money is all that matters in the pro circuit. The boxers welfare isnt a major priority for managers. I suffered some pretty serious injuries but wasnt even enquired about. As long as youre winning its great, once you lose, youre as good as a race horse with a broken leg, waiting to be shot.Agreeing that a lot was pinned on the outcome of Vijenders July bout in New Delhi this year, Tomar says its important for the Beijing Olympics bronze medalist, whos won six of his seven bouts so far by Knock Outs, to extend his winning streak for the interest in pro boxing in the country to peak.We are riding on one mans superstardom. Eden Hazard Jersey . "It was nerve-wracking, but we pulled through," said Collaros, who threw four touchdown passes to lead the Toronto Argonauts (8-4) to a 33-27 win over the Calgary Stampeders (9-3) in front of 28,781 fans at McMahon Stadium. 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OAKLAND -- Oakland As right-hander Kendall Graveman was 12 starts into the season and was searching for answers. He was 2-6 with a 5.28 ERA, and opposing hitters were batting .309 with 11 home runs against him.Thats when pitching coach Curt Young made a suggestion that helped turn Gravemans season around.Curt came up to me and said, You got to find what works for you, what makes you have a chip on your shoulder, whats going to lock you in, Graveman said.Graveman said he remembered how locked in he was in 2014, when he visualized his pitches before every game and rocketed through the Toronto Blue Jays system, earning five promotions and finishing the season in the major leagues.It was something that I just had to get back to, visualize throwing every pitch to both sides of the plate to lefties and righties, Graveman said. Its almost like youre visualizing a pitch that you want to make in a big situation to try to get someone out, but also just visualizing quality pitches.I think for me it sets up nicely because I get to see the movement when I visualize it. Youve seen it so much after you throw it and watching video that I think that just reinforces it. The minds a powerful thing. I think we know that now in the game of baseball. You start really thinking positively before a start, I think positive outcomes will happen.In his past six starts, Graveman has gone 4-0 with a 2.68 ERA, and opposing hitters are batting .232 with two home runs.Graveman will take a career-high five-game winning streak into his start Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays and left-hander Drew Smyly.Smyly has lost a career-high seven straight games and is trying to escape the worst slump of his career. Hes 2-11 with a 5.64 ERA. Smyly, who missed 105 last year because of a left shoulder injury, entered this season with a career record of 24-15 with a 3.24 ERA.Its just been a slump, man, Smyly said. I wishh I had an answer but I dont.dddddddddddd You just got to keep grinding, keep searching. Im healthy. I feel fine. Every chance I get Im competing my hardest, so hopefully I can get it turned around. It is what it is.Despite Smylys struggles, the Rays have no plans to take him out of the rotation, manager Kevin Cash said.Were very confident he is going to pitch his way out of this, Cash said before the Rays 1-0, 13-inning loss to Oakland. Were looking forward to getting him on the mound (Saturday). I sat down and talked to him casually with him after his start in Colorado. Hes doing all the right things. The results just arent coming. Sometimes youve got to let it kind of work its course and one start, one, two good innings of something clicking can be really beneficial for him.Smyly gave up five runs and needed 100 pitches to get through five innings in a 7-4 loss to the Rockies on Monday at Coors Field.First of all, I believe hes healthy, too, Cash said. Weve talked to Drew. I think its just inconsistencies in his off-speed pitches. He has not gone into a start here recently where hes really had his wipeout cutter or wipeout breaking ball and it becomes difficult. Youre facing some good hitters, good lineups and to go out there with just a fastball -- he tries to get really picky with the fastball knowing that he doesnt have that. I know thats kind of been the focal point for him, to try to get one if not two of those off-sped pitches going for him.Graveman, who relies heavily on a nasty sinker, is 1-1 with a 2.04 ERA in three career starts against Tampa Bay. He took the loss on May 14 at Tropicana Field, allowing four runs over 5 2/3 innings in a 6-0 defeat.Smyly is 1-2 with a 6.87 ERA in six appearances against the As, including three starts. ' ' '