India to host first-ever WBC India C’ship on May 1

New Delhi: In a historic and game changing move for professional boxing in the country, the World Boxing Council (WBC) has endorsed the Indian Championship fight between Chandni Mehra and Suman Kumari on May 1 in Jalandhar.

The fight for the Lightweight 140lb belt is scheduled to take place as part of the LZ Promotions India Unleashed-Fight Night -- the country’s first ever Professional USA boxing event, said in a statement.

The World Boxing Council (WBC) is the most prestigious championship and one of the four major organisations which sanction professional boxing bouts globally. This is the first time ever that India will be hosting a title card sanctioned by the global body and contested by the two female fighters.

Chandni and Suman have been India’s No 1 fighters in lightweight and featherweight categories and now will be challenging each other in this milestone bout aiming to become the first-ever WBC India Champion across both men and women categories.

“This is a game changer for Indian professional boxing. I believed India has huge potential equally in men’s and women’s professional boxing. My vision is to promote India’s first-ever World Boxing Champion (male and female),” said Parm Goraya, CEO of LZ Promotions and India Unleashed Promoter.

“Pawan Goyat, Pawan Maan, Asha Roka are some of the names that have fought on major platforms so a major coup to have them participate. I’m really excited to initiate this historic move and hope to contribute in creating a historic chapter for boxing and professional boxing in India,” he added.

While the professional boxing scene in India is still in its early stages, the sport has a strong niche audience and followership in India. The lockdown saw all live sports taking a halt. However, since the lockdown was eased in September 2020, there have been 16 fight nights that have been sanctioned by Indian Boxing Council (IBC) and held so far.

And the world body like WBC backing a title fight in India for the first time is a testament enough of the rising popularity for the global promoters’ interest in Indian pro boxing market.

“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. I would like to credit Mr Parm Goraya and LZ Promotions for their vision and making this historic sanction possible in such a short time. This title card would definitely be a game changer for professional boxers as well as boxing in India,” said Brigadier General of Indian Boxing Council (IBC) Muralidharan Raja, who have also been recently affiliated by the Asian wing of WBC. (UNI)