GOA | INDIA (Jan. 14, 2018) – Professional boxing comes to Goa for the first time this Republic Day with four bouts on the beach. Produced by BoxSingh Promotions and sanctioned by the South Asia Boxing Association (SABA) under license by WBC Asia, the main event features heavyweight Jagdeep “the Bullet” Singh against Tanzania’s Karama Nyilawila in an 6-round contest as part of the first annual Clean Fights.
“SABA is excited to bring pro boxing to India’s most popular tourism destination,” said SABA chief executive officer Jason Overdorf. He further added - “We believe the sport of boxing has tremendous potential in India and the first step to realizing that potential is giving exposure to young, hungry fighters and taking events into new markets.”
The Clean Fights will also see boxers and well-wishers from the surrounding area lead a beach cleanup the day after the festivities in the spirit of giving back to the community and supporting the government’s Swachh Bharat campaign.
About SABA:
Founded by former Indian international boxer Rakesh Naudiyal, Arun Kunal and Jason Overdorf, the South Asia Boxing Association (SABA) is a newly formed Indian sanctioning body. Our mission is to promote professional boxing throughout South Asia by establishing fair and unbiased rankings and SABA champions across all 17 recognized professional weight classes.
About BoxSingh:
Founded by actor/producer Munish Makhija, Ritwik Bhattacharya and Jagdeep Singh, BoxSingh is a promotional company committed to developing pro boxing in India through regular tournaments. The company’s target is to have six Indian fighters vying for Asia regional belts by 2020.
“Boxing on the beach is a tradition in California and Mexico – which have given rise to some of the sport’s greatest champions. With Clean Fights we are going to rewrite the constitution of the boxing world!” said BoxSingh promoter - Munish Makhija.
“We’re bringing that excitement to India for the first time with an event that will include a fashion show, music, drinks and dancing – all the stuff that’s made Goa famous around the world,” said Ritwik Bhattacharya - Co-founder, BoxSingh.
Fashion show:
Fashion show with India’s top showstoppers to launch BoxSingh’s merchandise.
- Archana VIjaya: Television Presenter and Fashion Entrepreneur
- Erika Packard: Supermodel
- Deepti Gujral: Supermodel
- Candice Pinto: Supermodel and Miss Tourism International 2001.
- Mitali Rannorey: Supermodel
- Mariia Cherniakovych: Ukrainian Supermodel
- Shivani Kapur: Actor
- Kanishtha Dhankhar: Supermodel and Miss India 2011
- Sonalika Sahay: Supermodel
- Nayanika Chaterjee: Supermodel
- Lakshmi Rana: Supermodel
Music:
EKLIPSE is a classical German string quartet. Four young ladies with talent, discipline and charisma; four women knowing the bright light and the end of the night are playing songs that just mean life. Unheard arrangements, played passionately; Eklipse are decoding the second dimension.
The Fighters:
Heavyweight Jagdeep “the Bullet” Singh began his professional career last year as part of the Super Boxing League. But those matches were not recognised as official so this event technically marks his pro debut.
Tanzania’s Karama Nyilawila is an experienced veteran, with a winning record over 45 pro matches and 14 wins coming by way of knockout. Now fighting at heavyweight, he’s a former Universal Boxing Organization (UBO) International Super Middleweight Champion and a former World Boxing Federation Middleweight Champion and a former Tanzania Professional Boxing Commission Super Middleweight Champion.
Shivani “Lightning” Dahiya, from Delhi, boxed circles around the competition in the Super Boxing League. With a good understanding of angles and distance, she’s a skilled counterpuncher who’s not afraid to mix it up. Like Jagdeep, she’s making her pro debut. She’s fighting at bantamweight (53.5 kg).
Chandigarh’s Gaganpreet “Pitbull” Sharma (28) has an official professional record of 3 wins and 1 loss, with 1 win by knockout. The super middleweight (76 kgs) captained the Delhi team in the Super Boxing League, gaining experience and registering several unofficial wins. As an amateur, he won a bronze medal at the prestigious Federation Cup tournament. As his nickname suggests, he has a fan- friendly, come-forward style suited to his stocky physique.
Haryana’s Sandeep Nain was a crowd favourite in last year’s Super Boxing League, where his Haryana side lost to the Maratha Yoddhas in the finals and Nain fought in the middleweight division (72 kgs). Moving up in weight in his pro debut against Sharma, he faces a stiff challenge and will look to stick and move to counter the Pit Bull’s grinding style.
Diksha and Muskan are both making their professional debuts.