Pune: The city is all set to witness a brand-new boxing fight series with 10 International boxing events planned over the course of the next 12 months. The series organized by the Rotary Club of Pune Central, will include over 100 Indian and International boxers of repute competing for National, Continental, and eventually World Titles right here in Pune.
“Rotary International is one of the world’s foremost community service organizations with more than 14 lakh members in 46,000 clubs worldwide supporting various causes afflicting societies in their regions.
“We have planned to utilize the unique power and reach of professional sport as a platform to raise awareness for projects we support as a community,” Rotary District Governor Dr. Anil Parmar said.
The first such fight night will be held on December 11, 2022, at the MIT ADT University campus at Loni Kalbhor. The event will feature eight boxing fights, which will be broadcast globally on World Boxing Council’s Live 24/7 OTT Platform powered by VIVE Network.
Rotary Supporting “KO-CHD”
KO-CHD (Knock Out Congenital Heart Disease) is Rotary Club of Pune Central’s newest initiative to raise awareness and much needed funds for undertaking corrective surgeries for children suffering from congenital heart disease.
Statistics indicate that 1 out of every 100 children born suffers from CHD and 1 out of every 5 CHD-afflicted children needs corrective surgery costing Rs 1.5 lakhs. Survival without surgery is rarely beyond 5 years.
Well-known city-based business leaders like Prof. Dr. Vishwanath Karad, Chairman and Founder of MIT – World Peace University, and Mr. Cawas Pundole, Managing Director of CT Pundole & Sons, have extended their support to this initiative by the Rotary Club of Pune Central.
“We needed a brand-new platform with highly impactful messaging, to raise both awareness of CHD and also invite corporates to come forward and offer CSR funding for such a noble cause. A national event of such magnitude offers huge possibilities to achieve our goals in supporting such projects,” said Uday Dharmadhikari, President, Rotary Club of Pune Central.
The two main bouts/fights on December 11 will be for the National Boxing Title sanctioned by the World Boxing Council and the Indian Boxing Council.
In the men’s category, current WBC India Champion, Sabari J of Tamil Nadu, ranked 27th in the world (making him the highest ranked Indian ever, with 9 wins and 1 loss) will defend his title against 25-year-old HC Lalramfela of Mizoram (4 wins and 1 loss). This fight will be fought over 10 rounds of 3 minutes each.
In the women’s category, top ranked pugilist Chandni Mehra (9–3) from Haryana will compete against Vijayalakshmi (3–1) of Punjab for the WBC India National Title in the Women’s Featherweight division. This bout will be over 8 rounds.
The show sanctioned by the Indian Boxing Council will also include demonstration Amateur boxing bouts of upcoming and budding pugilists from the state.
“This will be the first ever National Title defence by a professional boxer in India. Sabari, had won by a Split Decision back in December 2021. It’s now been a year and as per rules of WBC, the champion has to defend his belt within a year against a mandatory challenger chosen by the WBC India Committee or else he forfeits the fight.
Lalramfela from Mizoram has had a good year and has featured prominently in the WBC India welterweight rankings throughout the year. This would be an exciting fight over 10 rounds.” said Brigadier PKM Raja, President Indian Boxing Council and member of the WBC India committee.
