Pugilist Akhil Kumar to Fight Second Pro Bout

New Delhi: Nearly a year after turning professional, seasoned Indian boxer Akhil Kumar will fight his second bout in the circuit when he takes on Tanzanian Sadiki Momba here on Saturday under the aegis of a brand new promoter.

Akhil, a former Commonwealth Games gold-medallist who turned professional with the IOS Boxing Promotions is now contracted with Hope and Glory Boxing. Saturday's fight card at the Talkatora Stadium is being organised in association with World Boxing Council (WBC).

Also fighting would be Akhil's protege Jitender Kumar, who had turned professional with him last year. Also on the fight-card are WBC Asian Champion Brijesh Kumar Meena, Maharashtra's first pro boxer Siddharth Varma along with female boxers Preeti Dahiya, Rupinder Kaur and Rashmi Gorh.

The man Akhil faces in a lightweight contest is an experienced one in the circuit, having appeared in 37 fights, winning 25 of them. "He is an experienced fighter but I am also not short of
experience. I am confident of doing well tomorrow," Akhil said after the weigh-in today.

Akhil had split with IOS following differences over contractual obligations. There will be a total of six bouts -- four male and two female.