Will India's Shiva Thakran Make History in Africa?
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 24 Oct 2022
Glory and making history are what Indian superwelter Shiva Thakran aims when he climb the ring to battle Congolese knockout artist "The General" Emmany Kalombo (16-1, 16 KO's) for the IBF super welterweight International Title on Thursday, November 17, at The Galleria Conference & Events in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Should Thakran conquer the day, he will become the first fighter from India to claim a major title in pro boxing from one of boxing's four sanctioning bodies.
Will the brave, strong 154-pounder from the City of Gurgaon - near India's capital New Delhi defeat the fearsome African slugger to write his name in India's boxing books?
A number of Indian boxers, such as Mary Kom, Vijender Singh, Laishram Sarita Devi and more have achieved shinning success in amateur boxing, especially during Amateur Boxing World Championships, Asian Games and even in the Olympics.
But Shiva wants to conquer victory and become renown in the pro boxing. That's why his immediate focus is on winning not only the coveted major belt, but also a place in the IBF super welterweight world-ranking.
Is Thakran destined to becoming a boxing star for India?
Thakran's intention is to ravage the African champion Emmany Kalombo in the same way he broke down and stopped then unbeaten Malaysian 168-pounder Adli Hafidz (10-1, 6 KO's) a month ago in Bangkok, Thailand, to capture the vacant WBC Asian Continental super middleweight belt.
Fans will find out on November 17 if Thakran could pull off the big win or not, although one truth is crystal clear: there is a huge difference in fighting quality between the African slugger Emmany Kalombo and Shiva's last opponent, Adli Hafidz.
Yes Indeed, the heavy-handed Kalombo - trained by Damien Durandt - is by far a much more skilled, strong and lethal warrior, owner of proven destructive power in both hands.
Kalombo's devastating power showed off in his impressive round 7 stoppage victory over Kenya's previously undefeated Rayton Okwiri live on ESPN Africa.
Should one of those explosive blows from Kalombo makes an impact on Shiva's chin, the contest could certainly be lights out for the well-trained 27-year-old Indian fighter.
No doubt about it, Shiva (16-3-1, 8 KO's) will not only need colossal punching power to counter-attack Kalombo's heavy artillery, but also amazing speed, slick defensive moves and effective boxing skills, not to mention a made-of-steel mental focus.
Does he possess all of that? Will Kalombo's dangerous, brutal firepower destroy Shiva's willingness to achieve the riveting success that no other Indian boxer has achieved?
Kalombo vs Shiva's 12-rounder IBF International super welterweight title battle is promoted in South Africa by Sifiso Shongwe of ESPN (the Walt Disney Company Africa Proprietary Limited), with the matchmaking effort of Filipino international matchmaker Brico Santig, head of Highland Boxing Promotions.
Kalombo vs Shiva November 17 from Johannesburg will be live on ESPN Africa, a clash that no fan can miss it. May the Best Man Win!
The author, veteran boxing writer Carlos Costa can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com and whatsapp +639184538152
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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