*KARACHI: Renowned boxer Amir Khan on Thursday launched Pakistan’s firstprofessional boxing league in a star-studded event in Karachi’s MarriottHotel.*
The event led under the vision of two-time world champion Amir Khan andpromoted by the British business tycoon Bill Dosanjh is aptly named “SuperBoxing League”.
CEO ARY Digital Network Salman Iqbal and Amir Khan will jointly serve asboxing league’s chairman of the tournament which will see eight teams ownedby cricketing and showbiz celebrities locking horns for the title.
The teams are named after major cities of the country including Karachi,Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Multan, Sialkot and Quetta. Eachteam will comprise of 10 males and two females in squad to hold the fortfor their respective franchises.
Out of the eight teams, former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi ownsPakhtoon Warriors, legendary pacer Wasim Akram bought Multan Nawabs, RahatFateh Ali Khan owns Faisalabad Falcons, while CEO ARY Digital NetworkSalman Iqbal and actor Fahad Mustafa jointly own Karachi Cobras.
Pakistan has a huge talent pool for boxing. A lot of aspiring athletes wishto turn professional and they all just need the right platform. The SBLgives fighters that opportunity and we will ensure these professionalathletes get the recognition they deserve,” Founder and CEO Bill Dosanjhhad said while announcing the league.
Amir Khan was of the view that he aims to provide the right training topotential boxers which will help in producing more professional worldchampions.
“I believe Pakistan can produce many Muhammad Alis,” Amir Khan had said ina statement issued with announcement of the league.
Super Boxing League (SBL) Pakistan will be organized in association withPunjab Sports Board (PSB) & World Boxing Council (WBC) from September 28,2018 to November 03, 2018 at the Amir Khan Boxing Academy Islamabad.
For a transparent and successful inaugural edition SBL Pakistan, WBC willbe supervising the entire tournament, the best of Pakistani andinternational talent and present world class, captivating fights.
The event will spread over six weeks of adrenaline and pure thrill withleague fights.
Each of the six matches will feature five male fights and one female fightensuring diversity and magnetism of the event is comprehensive.
The league, in its first season, will have a mix of experience and youthwith bringing in talent across the Featherweight – 57 kg, Welterweight –66.7kg, Middleweight – 72.57 kg, Super Middleweight- 76.2 kg, Heavy weight– unlimited and Female super fly – 52.16 kg categories.