Local favourite Gauns upset by Vanlalenkawltira in super flyweight title bout
Featherweight champion Pralhad Panda (2R) poses with (L-R) IBC COO Vivek Raja, Clyde Lobo, Luigson Fernandes and Prathamesh Naik.
PANAJI
Goa boxer Pralhad Panda produced a gritty performance to emerge the Indian Boxing Council (IBC) featherweight national champion, providing the highlight of Susegado Strike’s triple title Fight Night 4.0 at the International Centre Goa lawns, Dona Paula, on Saturday night.
In a momentous occasion in Indian professional boxing, Susegado Strike hosted the unprecedented triple title Fight Night 4.0 with a stirring mix of high-voltage performance and raw talents announcing themselves with a promise of taking the sport to a stunning high that it deserves.
Panda clinched the featherweight crown through a unanimous decision at the end of the 10th round after a gruelling contest against Vinod Vanteddu of Telangana. Despite suffering a cut on his eyelid early in the bout, Panda dominated proceedings with superior accuracy and work rate.
After the victory, Panda credited his support system and the organisers. "I never got such a platform before and I thank Susegado Strike. This title is for Goa and we need to keep on winning,” said Panda, who is also the reigning IBC West Zone champion.
The night, however, brought contrasting fortunes for Goa, as crowd favourite Kailas Gauns suffered a shock second-round knockout loss to Mizoram’s Vanlalenkawltira in the super flyweight title bout. The Aizawl-based boxer overwhelmed Gauns with a high-energy start and powerful punches.
An emotional Vanlalenkawltira said, “I trained hard and I came to Goa to become champion,” after receiving the winner’s belt.
In other title bouts, Mohammed Dilshad secured the IBC middleweight crown with a technical knockout win over Midhun A. In the women’s super fly division, Akanksha Singh defeated Lakshmi M Gireesh by unanimous decision in a four-round contest. Asad Asif Khan beat Ashish Kumar in the super feather category by unanimous decision, Raj Sahiba overcame Gazal Maria Mathew in the super welter women’s bout, while Arshdeep Singh Batth scored a second-round knockout against Shijo Shaji in the heavyweight division.
IBC Chief Operations Officer Vivek Raja praised Susegado Strike for organising four professional boxing events in a single year.
Co-owner Prathamesh Naik said, “Indian boxing is at a turning point, and platforms like ours are shaping its future. Fight Night 4 is not just about the bouts, but about building a fair and sustainable path for professional boxing.”
Reflecting on the growth of the sport in the State, co-owner Luigson Fernandes added, “Goan boxers have gained confidence and belief, and this event reflects that journey. With talents like Pralhad and Kailas, this is just the beginning of Goa’s rise in Indian professional boxing.”
