In a country where cricket and football dominate the sports scene, boxing often goes unnoticed. Yet, Muhammad Utshob Ahmed, a young boxer from Rajshahi, is breaking barriers and putting Bangladesh on the global boxing map. For the first time, a Bangladeshi professional boxer has qualified to compete under the prestigious World Boxing Council (WBC). Utshob, a 19-year-old fighter, will contend for the WBC Asia Silver Super Flyweight title against India's top contender, 32-year-old Mazhar Hussain. This historic match is scheduled for May 25 at the InterContinental Dhaka during the "Beximco Xcel Boxing Championship (XBC) 3.0," according to a media release. The WBC is one of the four major international boxing organizations, and its belts are among the most prestigious in the sport. While Bangladesh has already seen its first professional boxing star in Suro Krishna Chakma, who competes in the Lightweight category, Utshob is making waves in the Flyweight division. He is one of the youngest boxers from Bangladesh to step onto the global stage. Bangladeshi Jinnat wins gold medal in Nelson Mandela Cup International Boxing In the world of boxing, championship belts are hotly contested and must be defended or relinquished regularly. Currently, the Silver Super Flyweight belt is vacant, providing an opportunity for Utshob and Mazhar to claim it. Through XBC Xcel Sports Management & Promotions, Utshob earned his shot at the title. Ranked 99th out of 784 in the world in the flyweight division, Utshob's impressive record includes eight bouts, totaling 28 rounds, with 37.5% of his fights ending in knockouts. He has zero losses and eight straight victories, making him a formidable contender. Utshob's journey to professional boxing began on May 19, 2022. Raised without a father, Utshob was supported by his maternal family, with his mother, Ayesha Khatun, being his sole provider. His passion for boxing was evident from a young age, starting his first fight at seven. Recognizing his talent, Utshob's uncle enrolled him at Bangladesh Ansar VDP in Shafipur for training. There, his skills caught the attention of Kancho Robert McInnes, president of the World Kumite Organization. Hanoi Chess: IM Fahad Rahman earns first GM norm Financial hardships were a constant challenge, but Utshob's determination never wavered. Xcel Sports Management & Promotions saw his potential and provided the support he needed to advance. Utshob faced and defeated many of Bangladesh’s rising boxers, including notable victories at the BoxStar Series 1 tournament and the Path to Glory event. His most significant victory came against the undefeated Indian Bantamweight, Pawan Kumar Arya, in a unanimous decision at Beximco XBC 2. Utshob has also won a gold medal at the first Bangabandhu Boxing Competition in 2018, a silver medal at the Bangladesh Youth Games, and a gold medal at the 22nd Junior Boxing Competition. XBC, in collaboration with WBC Asia, is arranging the first-ever WBC Asia Title match in Bangladesh. Alongside Utshob’s highly anticipated bout, other national boxers will face international contenders from China, France, India, Iran, Thailand, and Turkey. Boxing enthusiasts can watch the event live at the venue or tune in to T Sports and Bongo for live coverage. The event runs from 6 pm to 11 pm. Read more: Sura Krishna shines at ‘Path to Glory: Hustle in Dhaka Square’ boxing tournament

Bangladesh is poised to make an indelible mark on the international boxing stage as Aminul Islam, a trailblazer from Xcel Sports Promotion, is set to participate in the “Rings of Champions” boxing event. This landmark engagement will take place at the prestigious Grand Swiss Hotel in Seoul on March 16, 2024, marking Aminul’s debut as the first Bangladeshi professional boxer to compete in South Korea. Aminul Islam, a celebrated figure in professional boxing, is slated to face Dong Hoon Jang, South Korea’s leading Bantamweight boxer, in a highly anticipated match. This encounter, a collaboration between Xcel and DND Promotions, is not just a bout but a milestone event expected to captivate boxing aficionados across the globe. Premier Div Hockey: Usha KC return to winning ways beating Ajax SC 4-2  The bout is set to unfold over six intense rounds within the Bantamweight division, which has a weight limit of 54 kg. This confrontation is the culmination of rigorous preparation, with both fighters gearing up to showcase their prowess in what promises to be an unforgettable clash. The weigh-in, a precursor to the tension-filled event, is scheduled for March 15, 2024, setting the stage for the next day’s epic encounter. Adnan Haroon, chairman of Bangladesh Boxing Foundation, conveyed his enthusiasm, stating, “Aminul's participation in this historic event marks a significant milestone for Bangladeshi boxing. His dedication and hard work reflect the spirit of our boxing community. It’s a proud moment for our nation as we witness our athletes showcase the talent and potential of Bangladesh on the international stage.” This ground-breaking venture not only highlights Aminul Islam’s foray into the South Korean boxing scene but also symbolises a significant leap for Bangladeshi sports, inspiring future generations to dream big. As Islam steps into the ring, he carries not just the weight of expectation but the hopes of a nation eager to establish its presence on the world stage. Sura Krishna shines at ‘Path to Glory: Hustle in Dhaka Square’ boxing tournament

Bangladesh's boxing sensation, Sura Krishna Chakma, clinched a decisive victory in the Lightweight division at the "Path to Glory: Hustle in Dhaka Square" event. Hosted in Banani, Dhaka, by Xcel Sports Management and Promotions in partnership with The Arena Promotions, the tournament featured 13 thrilling bouts across a variety of weight classes. The event's standout moment came when Sura Krishna faced India's Sandeep Kumar in a riveting Lightweight bout. Employing strategic counterattacks, Sura Krishna secured his sixth consecutive professional boxing win, further solidifying his status as a top contender. Another notable match saw Bangladeshi boxer Resatul Sajin draw against Malaysia's Daeloniel Mcdelon in the Featherweight category after six intense rounds, showcasing skillful performances that enthralled the crowd. Read more: ‘Path To Glory: Hustle in Dhaka Square" — Premier boxing event set to electrify Dhaka "The Bull" Al Amin delivered a technical knockout against Moksedul Rana in the Welterweight division, highlighting a night filled with competitive matches and showcasing the prowess of 26 boxers across various categories. The event also featured victories for Easin against Rayhan, Rakib Ahmed in his Featherweight debut, Hossain in the Flyweight division, Sabbir Mehedi Hasan in the Light Heavyweight class, Hafijur in the Super Bantamweight division, and Lalkhawm Sang in the Super Lightweight category. In the main card battles, Amranul Faisal and Aminul Islam both achieved technical knockout wins against their respective opponents, Atiq Hassan Riyad and Praggya Don. Meanwhile, Utshob Ahmed secured a win in the Bantamweight division, and Emon Tongchangya made a striking debut with a first-round technical knockout against Robiul in the Super Middleweight category. Read more: Sura Krishna triumphs in Bangkok: A lightning victory for Bangladesh

In a stunning display of skill and power, Bangladesh's boxing pride, Sura Krishna Chakma, known for his lightning-fast hands, secured a phenomenal victory in an international match today (January 25, 2024) in Bangkok. The much-anticipated event, "Way of the Champions: Roar of Dragons," hosted by Thailand's premier promoter, Highland Promotions, at the Spaceplus venue, saw Sura Krishna, popularly known as “Jummo Rock”, taking on Thai contender Sornram Sopakul in the Lightweight division. The bout, initially slated for six rounds, was dramatically cut short when Sura Krishna delivered a knockout just 1 minute and 50 seconds into the second round, according to a media release. His formidable combination of powerful punches and sharp jabs enthralled the audience, demonstrating his boxing mastery. Shoaib Malik's BPL 2024 Campaign Abruptly Ends This victory follows Sura Krishna's previous triumph in the Super Lightweight Intercontinental Championship under the Asian Boxing Federation, further cementing his status as a global boxing icon. The event was graced by the presence of prominent figures from the Bangladesh Boxing Foundation, including Chairman Adnan Haroon and Vice Chairman Arman Haque, who celebrated Sura Krishna's remarkable achievement. BPL 2024: Babar, Omarzai Propel Riders to Victory in Low-Scoring Affair vs Strikers In his statement, Haroon expressed immense pride: "Witnessing our nation's finest lightweight boxer triumph in the biggest promotion in Thailand is both a joyous and proud moment for us." The tournament featured 10 bouts, highlighting the talents of boxers from various countries such as Singapore, Thailand, India, Pakistan, Australia, and Bangladesh, offering a spectacle of international boxing prowess. Int'l Rating Chess: IM Minhaz Uddin of Navy emerges unbeaten champion With sanctioning from both the WBA (World Boxing Association) Asia and the Asian Boxing Federation, the event upheld high standards of competitive sportsmanship. Supporting Bangladesh's participation, bKash collaborated with Xcel Sports Management and Promotions, ensuring a seamless and impactful presence in the international boxing arena.

Tuesday’s (March 21, 2023) professional boxing ‘Fight Night’ at InterContinental Dhaka had everything – from Bangladeshi-origin UK boxer Ruqsana Begum’s debut win against Tanjila in a 10-round thriller to Sura Krishna Chakma’s nerve-wracking second-round knockout punch against Thai boxer Ponlawat Nanchinda. With her debut win, Ruqsana also secured the WBU Female Intercontinental Championship Belt, marking the first time female boxers competed for a championship belt in Bangladesh. During the 10-round thriller, Ruqsana’s professional boxing experience faced off against Tanjila’s aggressive fighting. However, it was Ruqsana — a former kickboxing world champion — who pulled-off the narrow win in the flyweight category. The professional boxing event was organized by Xcel Sports Management and Promotions. Also Read: 'Beximco XBC Fight Night' on March 21 A total of 14 participants from Bangladesh, England, France, India, and Thailand competed in the ring across seven different categories, including featherweight, light heavyweight, bantamweight, cruiserweight, flyweight, and welterweight. In the lightweight category, Bangladeshi professional boxer Sura Krishna Chakma came head-to-head against Thailand’s Ponlawat Nanchinda.

While traditional sports like running, cycling and swimming are seen as the face of what weight loss and general fitness looks like, many unconventional sports hold their own while teaching practitioners additional skills - martial arts being one of these activities. Skipping, jumping and static exercises are just the preliminary steps before getting into the meat of your training. While all martial arts implement some form of said exercises, here are the best ones for you to maintain the best fitness.  Top martial arts for muscle-building and weightloss Muay Thai While many martial arts are seeing proper representation by fight companies like One FC and UFC, the sport that has everyone talking is Muay Thai. It is possibly one of the most prevalent striking martial arts in the competitive and casual scene right now and for good reason. Read Tips to Get Marathon Level Endurance and Stamina Aside from being known for its eight limb technique (shoulders, elbows included), clinches and sparring are other tiring routines to expect in a Muay Thai class. As the entire body is constantly engaged, and having a larger selection of strikes than most other martial arts, it’s key to keep it all together with decent stamina and endurance at the very least. While Muay Thai may be gruelling and every strike is meant to be practical and not flashy, the classes that represent the art know better than to throw newbies off the deep end when they first start - hence the appeal to newcomers. If you’re interested in getting fit fast and having fun while learning to defend yourself, there are few striking martial arts that can top Muay Thai.  Read Benefits of Leg Workouts: Why You Should Never Skip Leg Day Brazillian Jiu Jitsu Many casual martial artists tend to have varied preferences that are based on body type, style and ultimately practicality. Like Muay thai, Brazillian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is the dominant art of its category, that being grappling. When the fight happens on the ground, there are few who know exactly what to do in situations like those to defend themselves - which is where this martial art fills a void in the industry. Many classes offer a gi-based way of training that measures skill by belt colors, but more casual versions, without grading are also available. Read How to choose the best shoes for running BJJ requires a strong core, flexibility and stamina to endure escaping locks and having strength to subdue your opponent. While cardio is important to keep going on the ground, stamina is slightly more prevalent here as your muscles will have a substantial time under tension when wrestling. If you don’t mind getting into your opponent’s face, this could be the choice for you.  Wrestling  Another grappling art that requires a lot of physical contact, wrestling has been a reliable tradition that has lasted this long due to how effective it can be when done correctly. Despite being a grapple sort, wrestling requires far more endurance than one might assume. Sussing the opponent out and finding the right opportunity for a takedown. Read Which Swimming Style Is Best For Fat Loss? Going through the motion of wide-arching swings and pinning the opponent requires big movements, involving multiple muscle groups. When doing this frequently, you can imagine how easy it is to run out of breath and strength in a matter of minutes. Keeping up with an hour of lifting people and watching out for injuries can be daunting, however wrestling classes are safe hands that will prepare you for the art with a good mix of cardio and strength training. If you are slightly on the heavier side, this martial art could be made for you.  Read Is There an Age Limit to Put On Muscle? Boxing This stylish and sophisticated martial art has been around for a long time and doesn’t appear to be going anywhere. To say that boxing puts up a sweat is an understatement. While boxing favours upper body strikes and tons of different ways of punching (jabs, hooks, uppercuts, etc), the feet are doing more than meets the eye. Constantly maneuvering and bending to ensure your hips are thrusted correctly as you extend each arm for a punch can be a lot to deal with, especially when smaller movements are required for evasion of any sort. Ducks and weaves are a core buster, relying on many muscles from the hips down to the ankles. Overall, it is a well rounded striking sport that is respected for how much it keeps fighters on their feet at all times.  Read How Effective Are Machines At The Gym? Judo Similar to wrestling, Judo does require a lot of throws and takedowns, but is slightly different from the other grapple sports. While each of these grappling techniques require the fighter to understand exactly how to safely land to avoid injury, Judo training does have a fair amount of cardio involved while also prioritising on mental wellness. This is often a gi-focused martial art which requires a proper uniform and grading system. It may not have the same level of fame as BJJ, but many professional fighters use Judo to this day for its ability to use minimal effort to get a takedown in. Judo is slightly more passive and requires more techniques that are based on reacting, but it is still crucial to maintain a good amount of stamina while waiting for the right throw.  Read The risks of the extreme diet Mixed Martial Arts Of course, this is by far the most staple “fighting style” in the martial arts scene and for good reason. In the entertainment and fitness industry, many look up to the versatility and customizability of mixed martial arts (MMA) as it can always be improved on by fighting geniuses and still be considered “correct” if it works in a competitive environment. From throwing to striking to groundwork; there are many ways to tackle your unique approach to MMA, however if you are not a risk taker, the combination of Muay Thai and BJJ will be a safe combination to try out. Read Running vs. Swimming vs. Cycling: Which Is Best for Burning Fat? Be warned that since you are juggling multiple techniques, practicing often is good in order to ensure that you are getting the most out of the different aspects of your combination. Also, keeping fit while learning these special techniques is a must and that can’t be done without practice. 

Mike Tyson, one of the greatest heavyweight champions of all time, is returning to the ring after a long gap.