Pune, 12 Dec 2022: Reigning Indian Welterweight Champion, Sabari J, retained his World Boxing Council India Welterweight title with a decisive win over Mizo rival HC Lalramfela on Sunday during the Rotary Boxing – Pune Fight Night at the MIT ADT University at Pune.
Still unbeaten since his title win in December last year, Sabari, dominated from the start of this hard hitting contest. His opponent, Lalramfela, put on a great show despite a significant height disadvantage. The fight was the highlight of the night’s event
A smattering support for the Mizo boxer amongst the raucous MIT Students egged him through the 8 rounds. Sabari, held up well against the Mizo’s spirited counterattacks.
Ramfela dodged many of Sabari’s punches and managed to retaliate several times with effective counter punches. However, Sabari hit back hard, landing effective hooks on the Mizo’s chin on more than a few occasions through the 8 rounds.
At the end of the sixth round, Sabari produced a combo that forced Ramfela into the corner. The next two rounds saw the Tamilian boxer continuing to dominate his opponent, despite getting caught by a heavy left hook to the body.
Sabari’s stamina seemed to stay strong even toward the end of the fight, he was striking with accuracy forcing Ramfela to retreat.
The entire fight night including the main event was broadcast live in Mizoram via LPS Vision in addition to being streamed live on World Boxing Council’s 24/7 Live Channel and Facebook book page with a following of over 1 Million people worldwide.
The 25-year-old Tamilnadu boxer, Sabari Jaishankar, now boasts a record of 8 wins and 1 Loss from his previous 9 Fights.
Soon after Sabari’s hand was raised in victory, he was given his Title belt by Dr. Vishwanath Karad, Founder Chairman of MIT Group of Institutions.
Asked about his experience of winning against an Australian in Australia for the WBC Australasia Title, he said “ Me and my coach Kamal were the only one from India at the boxing hall in Sydney that night, Everyone came and said goodluck, but after passing me by they would laugh at us for even being there. But once the bout started, I beat my opponent from the first bell, I shouldn’t even have let the fight go for 6 rounds back then.
Sabari, after thanking a raucous capacity crowd at MIT ADT University Sports Complex said
“I am the only Indian in the WBC World Rankings at No 27. I have now defended the India Title and also hold the Australasia Title. I am going for the WBC Asia Title very soon. I will be the first ever World champion from India.
UNDERCARD RESULTS
Gurpreet Singh of Punjab Knocked out Jayapal Jagannathan of Tamilnadu in 2nd Round of a Welterweight contest.
Haryana’s Rohit Choudhary (2 Wins -1 Loss) settled for a draw with Goan Featherweight Ashok Patil (1 Win -1 Loss) . It was a give and take affair with little to choose between the two over the 6 round contest.
The judges saw it split draw. 1 Judge favoured Rohit, another Judge favoured Patil and the 3rd Judge scored it as a draw.
Punjab’s Akashdeep Singh Knocked out Sufiyan Khan of Madhya Pradesh in the 3rd round of their 6 round Welterweight contest. Akashdeep was coming back into the ring after a lengthy layoff of over a year since his title loss to Sabari last year. “I have had a difficult year, I lost my dad to cancer a few months back. It’s just been emotional for the past few months. I am now back and have to get back to winning ways again.
Kidderpore boxer Mazhar Hussain had to settle for a draw against Umesh Chavan of Goa in a 6 round Welterweight contest.
In a women’s Flyweight contest , the raucous crowd of over 400 people including Rotarians of Pune, leading boxing aficionados of Pune’s Amateur Boxing community, and young MIT Students saw an exciting contest between Delhi’s Anita Maurya and Priyanka from Punjab.
34 year old Anita was coming into this fight with 3 consecutive wins in the last 45 days, the strain showed in her fight. The 21 year old upstart from Punjab dominated Anita through the 6 rounds. All 3 judges scored the bout in favour of Priyanka
About Rotary Club of Pune Central
Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbours, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
The Rotary Club of Pune Central (RCPC) is committed to serve the community in the historic city of Pune.
Rotary International’s District 3131 comprises Revenue districts of Pune and Raigad. With more than 6000 strong membership base of active volunteers who are leaders in their own occupational fields, the organisation has successfully completed various projects around Pune and Raigad for Literacy & Education, Health, Social Welfare, Road Safety, Water Conservation, Protecting Environment, Women Empowerment and Child mortality, which are well aligned with the principles and objectives of Rotary as well as the theme of Imagine Rotary
About project ‘Knockout CHD’
The Rotary Boxing Fight Series is a step to gather support for causes like “Knockout CHD” aimed at providing support for surgeries for children suffering from congenital heart diseases. The event is also aimed at creating awareness through a unique campaign, “#AdoptaZindagi” an initiative of Jivika Healthcare, to provide vaccination for 6 vaccine-preventable diseases (not covered under Government Immunisation Program) absolutely free for underprivileged parents who cannot afford for their children.
Literally translated to mean “Knockout Congenital Heart Disease”, KO-CHD is the first project to be supported by the Rotary Boxing Championships to raise funds for treatment of children suffering from Congenital Heart Disease and in urgent need of surgeries.
CHD is a leading cause for child mortality.
- 1 out of every 100 children is born with CHD every year.
- 20% need surgery within 1st year of birth while only 7% receive this treatment leading high infant mortality due to CHD
- The donations / sponsorships received towards the Rotary Boxing Championships will be utilised for noble causes to support Institutions who conduct over 450 to 500 procedures (ASD/ VSD) every month for free.
- They still have over 3000 children in their waitlist!
