A boxer and a gentleman: Mehtab Singh was a legend in Bhiwani  

Time magazine rated him as the “most technical boxer” of the Munich Olympic Games in 1972. He lost a very close quarter final by a split decision of 2-3 to the eventual gold medallist. He had come that close to winning a boxing medal for India.

Alan Hubbard, the veteran boxing expert, who saw Mehtab Singh fight in Munich wrote; “When people speak of Indian Boxing, Mehtab Singh unhesitatingly is their best hope since the days of Ron Norris (who represented India in the 1948 Olympics).” Mehtab Singh captivated the audience and won the respect of fellow boxers with his gutsy performances at Munich Olympics.

In his 1 Guards (2 Punjab) unit he was known to be one of the most humble soldiers. In fact, he seemed to be shy of ever expressing his international reputation. He never wore his Olympic blazer or any of Indian team track suits or colours while serving in the army. All his medals as well as the Arjuna Award were donated to his parent unit as a mark of dedication to his uniformed fraternity.

Post retirement from army in June 1989, he joined the Sports School at Rai. He mentored a legion of boxers from Bhiwani, which till date sustains Indian boxing. Subedar Major (honorary Captain) Mehtab Singh was born on January 5, 1948 in an agricultural family in Isharwal village of Bhiwani district in Haryana. He joined the Indian Army as a Sepoy in January 1966. A person who had never seen a boxing ring was identified as a boxing potential while under training as a recruit. His journey from the Guards Regimental Centre, Kota, to the world boxing stage is one of the most incredible ones for any solider sportsman

He represented India in 1972 Munich Olympic games. He was the national boxing champion for eight years from 1968-1976. He won gold medal in 1971 Asian Boxing Championship, Tehran, and again in 1973 in Bangkok.

Mehtab Singh was a living legend and will continue to inspire generation to come. He is a guiding beacon and he will always be remembered for the ethos and culture inculcated and nurtured by him during his lifetime. His demise is a great loss to the Indian boxing fraternity and the nation.