“It will be really great,” says Chandni Mehra, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she tells me about her upcoming bout in about five weeks.
The 22-year-old professional boxer from Delhi has challenged reigning International Boxing Organisation (IBO) super bantamweight world champion Mea Motu to a title fight on December 2.
The fight will take place in Motu’s hometown of Whangarei, one of New Zealand’s famed boxing dens, and Mehra is hoping Kiwi-Indians will turn up by her side of the ring.
“I know boxing isn’t as famous as cricket, but this is the first time an Indian female professional boxer is fighting for a world title. Support from the diaspora here will make all the difference.”
The IBO is one of the few major pro boxing leagues in the world, with champions ranging across weight categories. Mehra has thrown her hat in the ring in the 54-55 kgs category.
After a fairly successful career as an amateur boxer in India, competing in several national level competitions, she turned pro at the age of 17. For the boxing uninitiated, only amateur pugilists are allowed to compete at competitions like Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games.
Many boxers, like India’s Olympic medallist Vijender Singh, choose to turn professional, a stage that is more commercial but no less competitive nonetheless.
Mehra already has under her belt 17 professional fights with 12 wins, one draw and four losses. She has fought bouts in the UAE, Australia and South Korea among other countries.
A single mother of five, Kaitaia-born Motu (17-0, 6 knockouts) will make the second defence of her IBO crown at Whangarei's McKay Stadium, where she'll be backed by friends and family.
The Bollywood biopic on Mary Kom, a six-time amateur world champion and Olympic bronze medallist from the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, inspired Mehra to take up boxing as a career.
She says she fully understands the challenge of fighting Motu in her den, but she isn’t pulling any punches.
“She is a good hard hitter, and we are working on how to tackle that. I am in great form, and have no doubt I will take the fight to her corner.”
Mehra’s team has roped in Fiji-Indian Mohammed Farman Ali as volunteer manager to help with her New Zealand foray. The Auckland-based pro boxing trainer says he is looking for Kiwi-Indians to come on board as Mehra’s sponsors.
“Be it individuals or corporations, we are looking at our diaspora members to help her out. We have great sponsorship opportunities, as the event will be telecast live across New Zealand and Australia.”
Mehra was in Aotearoa this month to promote the upcoming bout, and she is currently back in Delhi training for the fight. She will return to Whangarei later in November just days before her Dec 2 world title challenge.
What: IBO super bantamweight world title fight: Mea Motu vs Chandni Mehra
Where: McKay Stadium, Whangarei
When: Saturday, December 2
Coverage: Live on Sky Arena and Sky Sport Now
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