Pakistan to hold first professional bout

Event to be held in February as part of the Punjab Youth Festival

KARACHI: Pakistan’s first professional bout will take place in February in Lahore, as the Punjab government joined hands with the newly formed Pakistan Professional Boxing League (PPBL) this week.

The PPBL, which is a licensed body from the World Boxing Council (WBC), will hold the country’s first professional event as part of the Punjab Youth Festival.

According to PPBL Chief Operating Officer Umer Toor, international former boxers will also make an appearance at the event.

“It’s a huge step because previously we only had amateur boxing in our country,” Toor told The Express Tribune.

“This Memorandum of Understanding signed between the PPBL and Punjab Sports Board is an important step towards introducing the professional set up here.

Pakistan’s first international professional bout will take place in February in Lahore and top officials from WBC will also be present there.”

Toor further said that the PPBL has roped in international boxers as well, while the work on local pugilists will begin soon. He said that in connection to introducing the PPBL, an awareness program will also be launched.