Losing is not an option when India boxer Sarjubala Devi steps into the ring for her professional debut against Tanzania’s Kayage Lulu Gaithabi in Dubai on Saturday. Having won almost everything in the sport at the amateur level, including a World Championships silver medal back in 2014, Sarjubala finally decided to take the plunge after a COVID-caused break in 2020. 

Amateur achiever

“I have won a lot at the amateur level. I’ve been a five-time national champion and  two-time best boxer at the nationals besides being the best junior at the World Championships. In the last few years, I’ve been unlucky to lose in the quarter-finals at the 2016 World Championships and the 2018 Asian Games. Then, in 2020, COVID-19 struck and my training was hampered. Thereafter, I spoke to a few friends and experts in the field, and they advised me to switch to professional boxing. I’m 28 and could have turned pro even at 31 or 32, but I feel I’m in the best shape now and can excel at the professional level,” Sarjubala said in reply to a question by mid-day during a virtual interaction from Dubai.