Dharamsala, May 17 (Midday): Trust a boxer to deliver a knock-out punch even in romance. Beijing Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh told MiD DAY that he is nervous yet excited ahead of his marriage to long-standing girlfriend Archana Singh, a software engineer from Delhi. But not as nervous as he was when he proposed to his lady love.

"I've known Archana since 2007 when we were introduced through a common friend. The friendship grew stronger and finally last year I proposed and she accepted," the World No 1 75-kg weight category fighter told MiD DAY from his home in Bhiwani on Monday.

The proposal seemed more like one of the right hooks that the Asian Games gold medalist boxer is apt at delivering. "This was around last year... a few months before the Asian Games. I simply turned to Archana and said 'I'd like to marry you... do you have a problem... or is it OK? And to that she simply replied, 'Oh Ok'," said Vijender, who confessed that he wont even have any time for a honeymoon, as his preparations for the 2012 London Olympics will take up most of his time.

"I just got back from the Arafura games (where he won bronze) and since I had some time in between, we decided to slot the marriage here. Then I leave for Cuba for training. I might take Archana along for that but nothing is confirmed yet. There is no planned honeymoon as such," he added.

Vijender further added that his lady loves boxing but at the same time worries for hi ahead of a big tournament or fight. "She was very nervous for me before my Asian Games gold medal fight against Uzbekistan's Abbos Attoev. It was a tough one and she knew it," said Vijender, who won the bout breaking his finger in the bargain. But the pain was worth it he said, because that's where he proved himself not only to the world but also to Archana.

"After I won she told me, 'wah maan gayeji aapko.' That's when I felt that I've truly won the title," he signed off.