The men, on the other hand, have been largely underwhelming, barring Dev, who won a bronze medal at last year’s world championship to qualify for the Paris Games.

“There are less male boxers this time. Earlier we used to have five to six but this time only two are going,” Vijender, who is also India’s first male world championship medalist, said.

The highest number of Indian male boxers to make the Olympic cut was seven, which happened in the 2012 edition.

In the 2008 Games, a then record of five pugilists had travelled to the main event after a stunningly good qualifying campaign.

“I don’t know why the standards have fallen, may be the boxers themselves would be better-placed to explain what’s lacking,” he said.

The strapping six-footer from Haryana, who ended his amateur career as a three-time Olympian before turning professional in 2015, also spoke about the mental aspect of competing at an event like the Olympics.

“There is a battle you fight outside and then there is a battle you fight with yourself. That battle involves training your mind to believe that you are the best, become fearless,” he explained.

“Boxing is a lonely sport, there is nobody you can turn to and say that ‘I am scared’ when you are walking out to fight. So, you have to tell yourself to be confident, condition yourself. Everyone feels scared but you have to tell yourself that you are the best,” he said.