Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk
The Goa Amateur Boxing Association has announced the selection of three promising boxers — Veer Rana, Ayan Ali and Vignesh Kholkar — to attend the IIS–JSW Bellary Junior and Youth Boxing Camp scheduled to be held from December 14 to 29, 2025. The 14-day camp will be conducted with full hospitality provided to the selected athletes.
Ayan Ali currently trains at the Government High School, Porvorim, while Veer Rana and Vignesh Kholkar train under Sports Authority of Goa coach Nilesh Khanolkar at RCC Peddem. Their selection reflects their consistent performance and dedication to the sport.
Two other boxers from Goa, Siddhi Mandrekar of RCC Peddem and Raunak from RCC Salvador do Mundo, were also selected for the camp but were unable to attend due to academic commitments.
The selected boxers were felicitated by Mr. Francis Viegas, President of the Goa Amateur Boxing Association, who congratulated them and wished them success and valuable learning during their training at the national-level camp.
Inset: Mr. Francis Viegas, President GABA, Veer Rana, Ayan Ali, Vignesh Kholkar and Adv. Gerson De Souza, Secretary GABA.
Miramar, Goa | June 27, 2025 — The excitement is palpable as Susegado Strike Fight Night 3, Goa’s premier professional boxing showcase, returns on June 28 at Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias, promising an electric evening of elite matchups, local pride, and rising stars in Indian boxing. The event, supported by Goa Tourism and sanctioned by the Indian Boxing Council (IBC), marks another major milestone in the state’s push toward building a serious combat sports culture.
All eyes will be on Goa’s own featherweight champion, Pralhad Panda, as he puts his IBC West Zone Featherweight Title on the line against Amit Kumar of Pune. The 29-year-old Panda, hailing from Bastora, captured the title at the previous edition of Fight Night and is now set to defend it on his home turf in front of an energized local crowd.
“Defending my belt in Goa means a lot to me. This is where I’ve trained all my life. I intend to make this opportunity count,” said Panda, signaling his readiness for an intense showdown.
The title fight is scheduled for eight rounds and serves as the headline bout of the night.
A Diverse and Dynamic Fight Card
The event boasts a six-bout lineup featuring 12 fighters from across India, including two women’s fights, making this edition the most inclusive and competitive to date.
Full Fight Card Includes:
🥊 Main Event – Featherweight Title Fight Pralhad Panda (29, Goa) vs Amit Kumar (27, Pune)
🥊 Men’s Super Flyweight Kailas Gauns (30, Chimbel, Goa) vs Prasad Katnoor (22, Virar)
🥊 Women’s Super Flyweight Ramandeep Kaur (28, Bangalore) vs Rupika Rani (19, Abohar, Punjab)
🥊 Women’s Light Flyweight Amruta Kale (25, Pune) vs Saanvi Gandhi (19, Chennai)
🥊 Men’s Super Lightweight Maninder Singh (22, Barnala, Punjab) vs Bharany Velmurugan (30, Pondicherry)
All non-title bouts are scheduled for six rounds each. The official weigh-in ceremony will be held on June 27 at Fitness Bar, Panaji.
Growing Goa’s Pro Boxing Landscape
Susegado Strike’s founders — Luigson Fernandes, Clyde Lobo, and Prathamesh Naik — emphasized that this is not just a fight night, but a sustained effort to put Goa on India’s professional boxing map.
“Susegado Strike isn’t just about throwing punches—it’s about giving Indian boxers a stage they deserve and building a culture of professional boxing in Goa,” said Luigson Fernandes.
“We’ve curated this fight card based on merit, form, and readiness. Each matchup is designed to challenge and showcase talent,” added Clyde Lobo.
This edition also highlights gender inclusion in combat sports with two women’s bouts — a move the organizers call a step toward greater equity and representation.
“Our long-term goal is to make Goa a recurring stop on the national pro boxing circuit,” said Prathamesh Naik. “Fight Night 3 is not just a sporting event — it’s a blueprint for sports tourism, youth engagement, and athletic opportunity.”
Boxing with Purpose
Susegado Strike Fight Night 3 is more than a thrilling night of action — it’s a celebration of Goa’s emerging sporting identity. From nurturing homegrown heroes like Panda and Gauns to elevating the profile of Indian boxing, the event signals a future where Goan athletes punch above their weight on the national stage.
The Goa Amateur Boxing Association (GABA), under the aegis of the Boxing Federation of India and in association with the Shail Foundation, is all set to host the 1st Goa Shail Foundation U-17 Boys & Girls Invitational Cup Boxing Tournament. Scheduled from 4th to 7th June 2025, the tournament will take place at the Boxing Hall in Peddem, Mapusa, Bardez, Goa.
The event will be officially inaugurated on 4th June by Mr. Arvind Khutkar, Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Goa. His presence reaffirms the state’s commitment to nurturing youth talent and promoting sporting excellence at the grassroots level.
This inaugural tournament will feature 10 inter-state teams, including Goa’s own Junior Boys and Girls Boxing Teams, with a total of 135 young boxers participating. The platform is aimed at showcasing and uplifting the country’s rising boxing talents, particularly in the sub-junior and junior categories.
Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Rohit Jainendra Jain, Chairman of Shail Group of Companies and the main sponsor, expressed strong support. He remarked, “More of such Boxing Invitational Tournaments should be held across India, especially for Sub-Junior and Junior Boxers. This not only builds exposure and confidence among budding athletes but also paves the way for them to become future International Champions.”
In addition to the tournament, the Goa Boxing Association is also organizing a 4-day Practical Coaches Seminar, which will run parallel to the event. The seminar will be conducted daily from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM, from 4th to 7th June 2025, at the same venue. It will be led by Mr. T.L. Gupta, a former Senior NIS Boxing Instructor renowned for his in-depth knowledge of modern training techniques.
Mr. Lenny D’Gama, International Technical Official and the key force behind the seminar, highlighted its purpose: “We believe that if Indian coaches are regularly trained with the latest techniques and practices, our boxers can consistently shine on the international stage.”
The seminar is expected to draw over 30+ boxing coaches and physical education teachers from across the country. It aims to elevate the standard of coaching in India by equipping trainers with the tools and techniques needed to mentor the next generation of champions.
Physical Education Teachers and Boxing Coaches who wish to participate are encouraged to email their name and contact details to goaboxing@gmail.com by the latest 1st June 2025.
Together, the tournament and seminar represent a landmark moment for Goa and Indian boxing. They embody a shared vision — where opportunity meets preparation, and young talent is matched by expert mentorship.
