Imphal, Jan 24: Hungarian boxer Zsofia Bedo, opponent of L Sarita Devi in her debut pro fight, has thrown a challenge at the Indian shortly before leaving for India from Budapest, Hungary.
The boxer said Sarita is not going to last all the four rounds as her training camp in Rohtak has been short and terse: “You are finished”.
The two are slated to meet at Imphal, on Sunday, according to a press release.
30-year old Zsofia in a telephonic chat with the promoters of the event as per the release from Sporty Solutions Limited, a Noida based sports marketing company said, “I tried to know more about my opponent. When you search for boxer Sarita, you find pictures of a lady in tears. I am going to add more such images to internet. Trust me.”When pointed that Sarita has been among India’s best amateur boxers, who has won many laurels for the nation, the Hungarian veteran of 59 professional bouts reacted by saying,“Professional boxing is a different world altogether. Here it’s going to be a fight to finish – 12 minutes and four rounds are going to be a lifetime for that lady and I don’t see her lasting that long.”
Sarita is preparing for the bout under the seasoned IBC coach, Joe Clough from USA, at SAI’s Centre for Excellence National Boxing Acadmey at Rohtak, Haryana.
The police services officer from Manipur is leaving no stones unturned for a favourable result on the biggest day of her sporting career. “I run an academy near Imphal. Young aspirants look up to me as a role model. The City is going to support me in a big number. I can’t let them down,” says Sarita Devi from her camp at Rohtak.
“Zsofia has experience. But she too has suffered defeats in the ring. Joe (the coach) has made me sweat so hard and that I am confident who is going to bleed,” says confident Sarita Devi.
The coach exudes confidence that Sarita will start her pro career on a winning note. “I have worked with many Asian and Indian boxers. I find her among the best learners. Strength behind her punches and her energy levels are remarkable. It’s just that her technique and footwork requires some polishing. She is a great learner and a determined boxer. A par performance will ensure her win,” adds the coach.
Sarita has been a four-time Asian Boxing Champion gold medalist and she has under her belt 2006 World Championship crown and 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games silver medal, the release added.
