Mumbai: India’s Madison Square Garden moment has come. Breaking the shackles of hosting sporting events in conventional stadiums, Venky’s Mumbai Fighters have taken boxing out-of-the-box and are giving the country a new experience altogether by hosting an international boxing match in a mall.
Venky’s Mumbai Fighters will host LA Matadors in their fourth match for their World Series of Boxing (WSB) 2011/12 season at the T-Box Mobile Arena, Inorbit Mall, Malad, on December 9, 2011. It will also be the first time when boxing will be held using this patented Swiss Technology.
Keeping their promise towards growing Indian Boxing, the Fighters decided to take Boxing to a larger audience. The organisers are confident that this unique initiative will change the way Boxing is perceived and spectators will only go back home with wonderful memories.
Udit Sheth, Team Principal, Venky’s Mumbai Fighters said, “One cannot feel the excitement of Boxing unless seen live. This is a game of controlled aggression, strength & endurance and a pugilist combines his punches with building strategies in mind simultaneously. A real bout of WSB, gives the audience a real high and a adrenaline rush. We are proud of bringing this high-energy sport close to the people by setting it up at In-Orbit Mall. The owners of In-Orbit share our vision and we thank them for their support. With T-Box Mobile Arena the people will enjoy the match from a certified safe arena, which is approved for quality as per global standards and will be a great change from regular unstable scaffolding.”
Mumbai Fighters boxer Akhil Kumar said, “It is really an innovative step to enhance the sport as well as the boxer's name. It will attract a lot of new spectators to the sport, especially the common people. It is a good way of promoting boxing. People will be able to see boxing from close quarters and understand the rules and regulations better. Such an event will also enhance the chances of aspiring boxers taking the sport seriously.”
Speaking on Inorbit Malls' association with the Mumbai Fighters, Mr. Kishore Bhatija, CEO, Inorbit Malls said, ''Inorbit has always been known for the one of a kind marketing & promotional activities across its 4 centers. It has been our constant endeavor to bring to our patrons a unique experience each time they visit Inorbit Mall. Our association with Mumbai Fighters this year will bring to our patrons an opportunity to witness semi-professional Boxing bouts of global standards at our mall in Malad. Inorbit will become the first ever mall in the world to have hosted a World Series of Boxing bout within their premises. It gives me immense pleasure to announce Inorbit Mall, Malad as the home venue for the Mumbai Fighters for their next 2 bouts.''
Millions can watch it live on ESPN from 8.00pm onwards on 9th December 2011. Two previous matches of Mumbai Fighters have recorded 75,000 hits on Youtube so far which witnesses increasing interest in the sport worldwide.
Jay Kowli, President, Maharashtra Boxing Association, said, “The atmosphere will be electrifying. It would be a great experience and a great way to take the sport to the masses.”
Brig PK Muralidharan Raja, Secretary General, Indian Amateur Boxing Federation said "The World Series Boxing is indeed a fascinating concept. The tournament with its unique format has added to the overall popularity of the sport in India and across the world. And now this initiative taken by Trans Stadia group who is the Indian Franchisee of AIBA, WSB, of hosting a WSB boxing match in a specially built Mobile Arena called T Box will be exciting, and will take boxing to the masses and add another level of excitement to the competition. I believe all these factors will combine to make a heady concoction which is bound to attract crowds as well as put Indian boxers on the top in WSB boxing as it will motivate them to perform to their optimum in front of the wildly cheering Indian spectators who are expected to throng the arena.”
Venky’s Mumbai Fighters have played two matches this season in Group A. The team got walk-over in the third match against Bangkok Elephants. There are six teams in the group and the match against LA Matadors would be the fourth one. In the points table, Venky’s Mumbai Fighters are placed 5th with 4 points. The upcoming match against LA Matadors is crucial for Venky’s Mumbai Fighters keeping an eye to qualify for the quarterfinal stage.
