Goan Boxer Pralhad Panda to defend West Zone featherweight title at Susegado strike fight night 3

Goa Khabar : Goa’s own pugilist Pralhad Panda, the reigning Indian Boxing Council (IBC) West Zone featherweight champion, will headline Susegado Strike Fight Night 3 as he defends his title in front of a home crowd on June 28 at the Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias in Miramar.

The third edition of the Fight Night, supported by Goa Tourism, will also feature five other bouts featuring professional boxers from across the country, including four women boxers.

(L to R) Boxers Nishang Rimo and Goa’s Kailas Gauns fighting a bout at the Susegado Strike Fight Night 2 held previously.

Pralhad, a 29-year-old from Bastora, who clinched the belt in the earlier edition of the championship bout in the event’s second edition, is eager to defend his title. “Defending my belt in Goa means a lot to me. This is the place where I trained all my life. I intend to make this opportunity count,” the Goan champion said.

Panda will face 27-year-old Amit Kumar from Pune in the title match. A total of twelve boxers from across India will feature in the event, including another Goan pugilist, Kailas Gauns (30) from Chimbel, Panaji, who will face Prasad Katnoor (22) of Virar, near Mumbai, in the super flyweight category bout.

The remaining contests include Ramandeep Kaur (28) from Bangalore squaring off against teenager Rupika Rani of Abohar in Punjab in the women’s super flyweight division, while Amruta Kale (25) from Pune takes on 19-year-old Saanvi Gandhi from Chennai in the women’s light flyweight category. In the men’s cruiserweight bout, Ashish Ahlawat faces Taher Khuram (26) from Mumbai, who is of Afghan origin. 22-year-old Maninder Singh of Barnala in Punjab is matched against Bharany Velmurugan (30) from Pondicherry in the men’s super lightweight contest.

The official weigh-in ceremony featuring the participating boxers is scheduled for June 27 at Fitness Bar in Panaji and will serve as a preview to the intensity expected the following evening in the ring. While the title bout featuring Pralhad will span eight rounds, the rest of the boxing fixtures are scheduled to be held over six rounds each at the Sala de Gaspar Hall at Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias in Miramar.

“Susegado Strike isn’t just about the punches thrown in the ring. It’s a platform to give professional boxers in India consistent opportunities and to build a sporting culture around boxing here in Goa, with discipline and preparation at its core,” according to Susegado Strike co-founder Luigson Fernandes.

For Clyde Lobo, another co-founder, the criteria for selection of boxers for Fight Night 3, which like in the event’s past editions is being held in association with the Indian Boxing Council – the national governing body for professional boxing in India – was to focus on merit and match-readiness. “We believe every deserving boxer should get a chance to prove themselves. Fight Night 3 brings that opportunity to the fore, with each bout carefully matched for competitiveness. Through Fight Night our stellar Goan boxers also get an opportunity to perform on the big stage,” Lobo said.

This edition of Susegado Strike will also feature two women’s bouts, underlining the organisation’s intent to offer equal opportunities and representation in the ring. All participating boxers are registered professionals with previous experience on the national stage and are being matched across recognised weight categories.

Prathamesh Naik, also a co-founder, adds that the return of the event to Goa’s sporting calendar reaffirms the state’s place in India’s growing boxing circuit. “We’re trying to build continuity, where the state is seen as a legitimate stage for national-level boxing talent. Susegado Strike Fight Night also presents a platform to promote sports tourism in Goa,” said Naik.