Daily Times

LAHORE: The Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) on Tuesday announced that it would not be supporting British pugilist Amir Khan’s Super Boxing League (SBL) in Pakistan. “The PBF executive committee held its meeting, and in a resolution unanimously decided that the PBF will not become part of any event, including SBL, not organised under the statutes of AIBA and constitution of the national federation,” said a spokesman for the PBF. “The PBF will promote and develop boxing and protect the interests of pugilists in accordance with AIBA and PBF rules,” added the spokesman.

It is pertinent to mention that last month Amir announced that he was bringing a team-based boxing league to his country of origin. “I’m bringing Super Boxing League to Pakistan this year and it will show the next generation of boxers,” Amir said in a video. “It’s going to be a month-long tournament; it will be really amazing and I’m looking forward to watching the talent of Pakistan. This is going to be big time. I really believe we have huge amount of talent but no one has ever pointed it. Hopefully, 2018 is going to be a big year for Pakistan boxing.”

Amir also divulged the details of this boxing league, which is not dissimilar to the Pakistan Super League – the annual cricket tournament that is widely popular in Pakistan. “I’ve named the teams: Islamabad Kings, Lahore Giants, Karachi Devils, Faisalabad Falcons, Multan Thunders, Peshawar Warriors and Quetta Stars,” he said. “There’s going to be six fighters in each team – five male and one female.”

Published in Daily Times, June 20^th 2018.