In a historic achievement for Indian boxing, Mandeep Jangra has become the first Indian professional boxer to win a world championship, claiming the World Boxing Federation (WBF) super featherweight title in the Cayman Islands. The 31-year-old Haryana native secured the title with a decisive 10-0 victory over British boxer Conor McIntosh, marking a breakthrough moment in Indian pro-boxing history.
Dominant Performance by Mandeep Jangra
Mandeep Jangra delivered an almost flawless performance, maintaining control throughout the ten rounds. From the opening bell, he displayed remarkable power and stamina, landing precise, powerful punches that left McIntosh struggling to find his rhythm. The judges awarded Jangra a unanimous decision, a testament to his dominance across all rounds.
“I have worked hard for years to achieve this. It is a matter of pride for me that I could bring glory to the country. I think this title will open the way for other boxers of the country and they will also decide to make a career in professional boxing. This is a huge win for Indian boxing,” Jangra said, reflecting on his journey.
Paving way for Indian Boxers
Mandeep Jangra hopes his victory will encourage other Indian boxers to pursue professional boxing. “Our boxers are good, and there is no dearth of talent,” he added. “If they get good promoters and managers, they can also become world champions. This world title proves that.”
Jangra expressed gratitude for his team, acknowledging the support of his sponsor, head coach Roy Jones Jr., assistant coach Asa Beard, and Angel, all of whom helped him realise his world championship dream.
Successful Transition to Pro Boxing for Mandeep Jangra
Jangra’s journey in pro boxing began in 2021, and since then, he has achieved an impressive record, winning 11 of his 12 professional fights, with seven of those wins coming by knockout.
Reflecting on his transition from amateur boxing, he said, “Pro boxing has been rewarding for me. I am happy that I switched from amateur boxing to the professional circuit. We need more Indian boxers in this set-up. I hope the young Indian boxers get inspired by this win and make a career in pro boxing.”
From Amateur Success to Pro Champion
Before transitioning to professional boxing, Jangra built a solid foundation in the amateur circuit. Under the guidance of former Commonwealth Games gold medallist Akhil Kumar, Jangra won a silver medal at the 2013 Asian Amateur Championships and went on to claim silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Now, as a world champion, Mandeep Jangra stands as an inspiration to India’s aspiring boxers, showing them that the path to pro success is within reach.
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