Indian professional boxing is all set to stand testimony to a historic move as World Boxing Council (WBC) endorsed Indian Championship clash between the nation's two finest women boxers in their weight category – Chandni Mehra and Suman Kumari, that is scheduled to get underway as part of the LZ Promotions India Unleashed-Fight Night— the nation's first ever Professional USA boxing Competition.
WBC is one of the four prime bodies that sanction professional boxing bouts in the world. This will be a maiden occasion that will see India host a title card sanctioned by the global organization and competed by the two female fighters. Chandni Mehra and Suman Kumari have been our country's No. 1 fighters in lightweight and featherweight categories. They will challenge each other in this historic bout with an aim of having the distinguished honour of becoming the first-ever WBC India Champion in both men and women categories.
Parm Goraya, CEO of LZ Promotions and India Unleashed Promoter said, “India has huge potential equally in men’s and women’s professional boxing. My focus is to build a platform for the boxers to establish themselves. I would like to thank the WBC for believing in my vision to propel professional boxing and especially give Indian female boxers the equal respect and opportunities as their male counterparts."
He further said that the green/gold belt have been worn by Boxing greats like Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather among others.
While the professional boxing scenario in India is still in its initial stages, the sport however enjoys a strong niche audience and followership in the country. The lockdown last year saw all live sporting action come to a halt. However, after the lockdown was relaxed in September 2020, 16 fight nights were sanctioned and took place so far by Indian Boxing Council (IBC) and now a world organization like WBC supporting a title fight in India for the first time is a significant indication of the increasing popularity for the global promoters’ interest in Indian pro boxing market.
Brigadier General of Indian Boxing Council (IBC) Muralidharan Raja said, “It’s a great development for Indian professional boxing and gives us the confidence that we at Indian Boxing Council (IBC) are on the right path. This title card would definitely be a game changer for professional boxers as well as boxing in India,”
The female boxers facing off each other for the Lightweight 140lb belt, as part of India Unleashed-Fight Night is scheduled to be held on May 1. This is not only a historic occasion but will also be a giant leap for professional female boxers and boxing in India.
