Chandni Mehra wins Super featherweight WBC India Title by defeating Muskan Srivastava by 8 Round Points Decision
Pune (Voice News Service): The star is rising for Haryana boxerChandni Mehra, who claimed her first Boxing title, winning the WBC India National Super Featherweight title in Pune at the Rotary Boxing – Pune Fight Night on Sunday.
Beneath a rig of lights at the Indoor Boxing Hall at MIT ADT University,Chandni, who hails from Yamuna Nagar, captured the title after overcoming MP’s Muskan Srivastava via a Unanimous decision.
The final scorecards read 72-80, 71-80, 71 – 80 with all 3 judges scoring unanimously in favour of Chandni. The win took Chandni’s record to 10-4, as she handed the Indore based Muskanher fourth loss of her career.
The explosive eight-round encounter went all the way with both fighters giving everything they had, knowing that a National title and a WBC Asia ranking were on the line.
Chandni got the ball rolling right from the outset, landing several heavy shots in the opening rounds. The hard right hands that Chandni connected with staggered Muskan.
The 21-year-old Chandni displayed her trademark aggression throughout the bout. Muskan, to her credit, maintained her composure in the face of Chandni’s constant pressure but continually came off second best throughout the exchanges.
Chandni’s fast-paced style was too much for Muskan. The last 15 seconds of the 8th round established Chandni’s dominance in this weight division in India, when she pummeled Muskan with repeated head and body shots while pinning her to the corner. Referee Kevin David was close by to intervene and call an end to the fight if the bell hadn’t saved Muskan.
The 21 year oldHaryana boxer who also has familial roots to Sikkim through her mother was emotional following the win. She thanked her Mother, and her team in her post-fight interview.
“I have been training very hard for this for the last few years now. My mom has ensured that I stay focussed and in control of my destiny. I am just so grateful to her for always keeping me rooted and grounded. She has sacrificed a lot for me. She couldn’t be here today, but my coach Rakesh Bawa is here and I want to thank for standing in my corner through all my ups and downs.
This win comes on the heels of a close Split Draw decision in Sydney last month. “ I was robbed of a victory over an Australian when I fought down last month. The crowds in the arena knew who won. My opponent was as surprised as I was. She has even switched off her Social media accounts in fear of the backlash from the community. The promoters haven’t even uploaded the videos”
“I am glad that phase is past me, but I just had to win big tonight”.
Chandni’s win should earn her a ranking withWBC Asia. The WBC is the global leader and the largest sanctioning body in world boxing, which will see even more doors opening up for Chandni in the coming months.
Sabari dominates Lalramfela to retain WBC India Welterweight title
Sabari J,retained his World Boxing Council India Welterweight title with a decisive stoppage win over Mizo rival HC Lalramfelaon Sunday at the Rotary Boxing – Pune Fight Night at the MIT ADT University.
Sabari, still unbeaten since his Title win in December last year, dominated from the start, however Lalramfela put on a great show despite a significant height disadvantage.
The 25-year-old Tamilnadu boxer 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 the 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 the draw. 1 Judge favoured Rohit, another Judge favoured Patil and the 3rd Judge scored it as a draw.
Punjab’sAkashdeep 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.
