Three professional boxers from India — Aarti Hoodha, Pawan Kumar, and Rohit — have arrived in Fiji for the Stratum Construction ZEG Kings Boxing Promotion taking place this Saturday at the Vodafone Arena in Suva.
Twenty-six-year-old Pawan Kumar will face Australian boxer Andrew Maloney in the Super Bantamweight contest.
Kumar hails from a boxing family, with his grandfather serving as a coach with the Indian National Boxing Federation. This will be his fourth international appearance after three losses abroad, but the Indian fighter remains confident, having won eight bouts at home, including six by knockout.
For 23-year-old Rohit, the bout against Fijian Filise Nabua for the Welterweight title will mark his first international fight. With six professional matches under his belt — five wins and one loss — Rohit says he is ready to make the most of the opportunity. “I’m really excited. My opponent Nabua is a good fighter, but we’ll see in the ring,” Rohit told The Fiji Times.
“I have a strong left hook, and I’m hoping for a knockout in this match.”
Meanwhile, 25-year-old Aarti Hoodha will take on local boxer Laite Nanovu in the Lightweight division. Originally from Rohtak, India, Hoodha began boxing at the age of 14 in her village, encouraged by her father to pursue the sport despite community restrictions on women in athletics.
Now preparing for her third professional bout, Hoodha said she feels confident and ready to continue her winning streak. “My preparations have gone well. I have been fighting for almost nine years, and I’m looking forward to stepping into the ring on Saturday,” Hoodha told The Fiji Times.
“My opponent is a good boxer, and I will try my best to win this fight.”
Nanovu, also entering her third professional contest, is determined to secure her first career victory after facing setbacks in previous bouts.
The highly anticipated event will also feature Junior Binnu Singh of India squaring off against Thailand’s Apichart Klintal in the main event, promising an action-packed night for boxing fans in Fiji.
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