The coastal state of Goa witnessed a night of thrilling victories and stark disappointments at the Susegado Strike Fight Night 4.0, held at Dona Paula on Saturday. The event delivered high-octane action, culminating in a successful title defense by a local champion but also a devastatingly quick defeat for another Goan hopeful.
Pralhad Panda's Dominant Title Defense
In the main event of the evening, featherweight champion Pralhad Panda put on a masterclass to retain his crown against challenger Vinod Vanteddu. The bout went the full 10 rounds, with Panda emerging as the clear winner by a wide margin of 297-273. From the opening bell, the Goan titleholder established his dominance, effectively neutralizing Vanteddu's offense.
Panda's victory was built on a foundation of superior defensive skills, speed, and agility. He expertly thwarted his opponent's attempts, particularly a series of wild uppercuts that failed to find their mark. His controlled and strategic performance ensured he never looked in serious trouble, convincingly shutting down the challenge to his title.
Heartbreak for Local Favorite Kailas Gauns
The night, however, took a somber turn for local fans supporting Kailas Gauns in the superfly weight category. Pumped up for his title opportunity, Gauns faced a formidable and fiery opponent in Vanlalenkawltira. The fight was shockingly brief.
Vanlalenkawltira unleashed his firepower and speed from the start, landing significant blows on Gauns within just 40 seconds. Although Gauns beat the referee's count, he faced a monumental task with nine rounds remaining. Adopting an aggressive strategy in the second round to turn the tide, Gauns spurred the crowd into cheers. This, however, only ignited Vanlalenkawltira further, who mocked the audience before delivering a final, crushing blow to end the contest at just 1 minute and 34 seconds.
"I prepared really well for this bout. I wanted to win and I did just that," said a triumphant Vanlalenkawltira after his knockout victory.
Other Notable Bouts of the Evening
The event featured other decisive performances. In the heavyweight division, Arshdeep Singh Batth dominated his bout against Shijo Shaji, turning it into a one-sided affair. A fit and powerful Arshdeep overwhelmed Shijo with precise uppercuts, jabs, crosses, and hooks. After surviving a tizzy in the first round, Shijo was met with another ferocious knock in the second, forcing the referee to stop the fight.
For boxer Raj Sahiba, Goa proved to be a lucky venue once again. She secured her third victory in the state, this time overcoming a tricky challenge from Gazal Maria Mathew in the super welter category. This marked Sahiba's second win over Gazal.
"Goa supported me really well," Sahiba stated after her win. "I enjoyed the hospitality, crowd, fight and environment. I was prepared for her, but she was much more aggressive, and I had to protect myself from getting injured. Once I realised how she was boxing, it was easy."
The Susegado Strike Fight Night 4.0 ultimately delivered a powerful mix of emotions, showcasing the pinnacle of defensive boxing in Panda's win, the brutal reality of knockout power in Gauns's loss, and the rising talent in the Indian boxing circuit.
