The first-ever Global Boxing Series (GBS) is all set to be scheduled at the Jade Garden Banquets, Worli, tonight, i.e., June 1, providing boxing fans in India with an exhilarating atmosphere and thrilling professional boxer bouts.
The inaugural pro-boxing fight series, promoted by Devraj Das, Founder of Marine Pro Boxing Promotions, and one of the nation’s most well-known radio jockeys, hosts, and actors, Salil Acharya, seeks to offer a platform for Indian professional boxers to not only demonstrate their skills during an exciting night of pro-boxing, but also to pave a path for them to pursue a career on the global stage.
Notably, the Global Boxing Series will be broadcast live on Disney+ Hotstar in 4K Ultra HD.
Das has worked extensively with many worldwide pro boxing companies in Southeast Asia, in addition to serving in various positions for the International Boxing Association. He was also one of the first promoters of professional boxing in India and has been actively assisting pro-boxers.
Devraj Das, said, “Indian boxers have the potential to make a big impact on the pro-boxing circuit not just in Asia but also in Europe that many dream of living the western boxing dream. But till now they lacked a platform and resources to launch themselves and we aim to provide that through the Global Boxing Series.”
The series would consist of eight fights, with the bulk of the 16 boxers in action marking their pro debuts. Another first for Indian boxing, the event will include an influential marque showdown.
Among those set to participate in the inaugural Global Boxing Series are Ishant Rawat, also known as Knucklehead Warrior, and Tayne DE Villiers, whose father has taught many MMA champions. Among those making their professional debuts are Malhar Bhosale and Rajkumar Wagh from Maharashtra, Jayanth Gunji, Suresh Pasham, and Samuel from Hyderabad, Hashir and Pradish from Tamil Nadu, and Paras Chauhan from Gujarat.
On the development, Salil Acharya said, “Pro-boxing is a combination of sport and high-profile entertainment as it also rakes in big money at the top level. Through the Global Boxing Series we are taking our first step into the world of pro-boxing and our aim is to make the night an experience to remember for the players, entertainment and sporting industry stakeholder and the fans.”
The marquee showdown is a prominent boxing match between social media influencers, YouTubers, TikTok stars, and other digital content creators that has grown in popularity around the world as it combines the worlds of social media and professional sports and attracts a large audience due to the participants’ fame and following.
At the event, where the launch was commemorated, SportsMint Media received an opportunity to have an exclusive interaction with Rakhee Mehta, who Co-owns broadcast rights for two combat sports shows – MFN – Matrix Fight Night (MMA) & Global Boxing Series (GBS) and also Co-owner GBS.
Can you kindly explain what happened behind the scenes that led to the GBS and Disney+ Hotstar pact?
I’ve been creating content with Salil for years and we are quite excited that we’ve ventured into sports content as well. The OTT platform, Hotstar also shared its vision of bringing in different sports because India is in a transitional period. As everyone knows even NBA took time; they were not built overnight. Our country has a lot of talent. So hearing the stories of these fighters is quite moving. I spent time abroad and returned to India to build this. So it was very exciting when Salil discussed the plan with me and then we met Devraj. We collectively pitched the entire idea to Disney+ Hotstar which they liked and gave us their full support.