Indian boxer offers to trade title for peace with China

New Delhi, India: Indian boxer Vijender Singh has offered to return the championship belt he won in this weekend's title fight over his Chinese rival in a nod to diplomacy amid a tense border standoff between New Delhi and Beijing.

The Olympic-bronze medallist extended the olive branch to Zulpikar Maimaitiali after defeating the Chinese champ in the much-anticipated double-title pro bout in Mumbai on Saturday.

The win saw the 31-year-old Indian pugilist retain not just his WBO Asia Pacific super middleweight title but snatch the super middleweight belt from his Chinese opponent.

But the newly-crowned champ buried the hatchet after the fight, dedicating his victory to the "India-China friendship" and calling for an end to the distrust that has flared up over a border disagreement.

"I want to give back this belt to Zulpikar. I hope for peace in the border and the message is about peace. That is most important," Singh was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India.