On Saturday night, the Global Boxing Series made a spectacular debut, featuring impressive performances from Delhi state champion Parul Adhikari and Pushpendra Rathi. Adhikari, in her first professional boxing match, showcased aggressive tactics to claim victory in the women’s Light Weight category, while Rathi triumphed in the men’s division, setting an electrifying tone for the event.
Standout Performances from Rising Stars
Parul Adhikari’s reach and swift left-right combinations secured her a split-decision win over Muskan Srivastava. Meanwhile, Pushpendra Rathi achieved a Technical Knockout against Jayanth Gunji, thrilling the audience at the packed Jade Garden Banquets. The venue was buzzing with excitement as celebrity influencers and boxing fans enjoyed a series of eight high-caliber bouts.
Promoters Aim to Elevate Indian Professional Boxing
The Global Boxing Series, promoted by Devraj Das of Marine Pro Boxing Promotions and the celebrated Indian radio jockey, host, and actor Salil Acharya, aims to elevate Indian professional boxing. The initiative provides a platform for Indian boxers to showcase their talents and pursue international careers. The promoters highlighted the current dominance of amateur boxing in India, contrasting it with the global appeal of professional boxing, which attracts larger audiences and can turn boxers into international superstars. They believe the Global Boxing Series is a crucial step in raising awareness among both boxers and fans about the potential of professional boxing. The positive response to the inaugural event has reinforced their confidence in the direction they are heading.
Notable Bouts and Celebrity Appearances
The event also featured notable performances from other boxers. Malhar Bhosale from Maharashtra achieved a Technical Knockout against Tensubam Meitei of Manipur in the Super Welterweight category. Hyderabad’s Suresh Pasham knocked out Mukesh NK in the third round of the Welterweight division. In the Super Fly category, Tamil Nadu’s Pradish A secured a TKO in the second round against Rajkumar Wagh, while his state-mate Hashir won by unanimous decision against Samuel Harijana in the Super Bantamweight category. The night was further enlivened by the presence of celebrities like Ravi Behl, Nisha Rawal, top influencer Donal Bisht, and actor-restaurateur Simple Kaul, adding a touch of glamour. An influencer marquee showdown saw South African Tayne De Villiers, from an MMA star family, compete against social media sensation Ishant Rawat, known as the Knucklehead Warrior.
Future Prospects for Indian Pro-Boxers
Salil Acharya emphasized that professional boxing combines high-quality contests with star appeal, a combination that has made it immensely popular in Europe and America. The Global Boxing Series aspires to provide Indian boxers with a platform to compete internationally, gain celebrity status, and earn substantial rewards for their skills. Each of the eight bouts featured four rounds, meeting the minimum requirement for professional boxing events. The organizers are optimistic that more Indian boxers will be inspired to pursue professional boxing in the years to come.