Commentary: Why Sri Lanka must embrace professional Boxing

Sri Lanka is a country rich with sporting talent. While cricket continues to dominate the landscape and cricketers are celebrated as national heroes, we must not overlook other sports that have historically brought pride to the nation – especially boxing. Boxing, a medal-winning sport in the Commonwealth and Asian Games, has a proven track record of success. We must remember that Sri Lanka’s first-ever gold medal at the Commonwealth Games was won in boxing by Barney Henricus in 1938 in Sydney. Yet, despite such accomplishments, boxing receives disproportionately little attention and support, especially compared to cricket.

It is time for Sri Lanka to broaden its focus and invest in the development of professional boxing. The Sports Ministry and corporate sponsors have a unique opportunity to harness the expertise of Sri Lanka’s only professional boxing coach Bandula Rathnapala based in the United States – someone deeply passionate about elevating the sport in his homeland. By supporting this vision, Sri Lanka can provide amateur boxers an extended career, allowing them to continue showcasing their skills in a professional arena, earning a living, and potentially becoming world champions.

Rathnapala, founder of Straight Jab Boxing Academy in Passaic, New Jersey, has been dedicated to the sport for decades. Reflecting on his passion for developing professional boxing in Sri Lanka, Rathnapala shares, “I want to be involved in developing professional boxing in Sri Lanka – that’s my dream.” Despite setbacks in his discussions with former Sports Ministers Navin Dissanayake and Dayasiri Jayasekera, he remains undeterred. “If I’m doing this in America, why can’t I do the same in Sri Lanka?” he asks.

“In Sri Lanka, many talented boxers give everything they have to amateur competitions, fighting in tournaments such as the Clifford Cup, Inter-Command, and SAF Games. Yet after collecting medals and certificates, they often face a grim reality – most are left with limited opportunities to sustain themselves financially or professionally in the sport. Many end up working as security guards or taking on odd jobs. Their skills and potential go untapped, and their boxing journey ends before they’ve had the chance to enter the global professional stage,” he laments.

If the government, alongside corporate sponsors, backs the development of professional boxing in Sri Lanka, these athletes could transition from amateur boxing into professional careers. “In professional boxing, athletes can start with four-round matches, earning anywhere between $2,000 to $3,000 per fight, gradually progressing through six, eight, ten, and eventually 12 rounds, depending on their experience and skill. This not only allows boxers to continue competing but also gives them a sustainable livelihood,” he opines. Imagine young Sri Lankan fighters rising through the ranks like Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, who came from humble beginnings to become one of the greatest boxers and a national icon.

Sri Lanka’s obsession with cricket has led to a skewed allocation of resources and attention. Cricketers are treated as national treasures, with access to the best coaches from countries like Australia and England. These foreign experts are brought in to develop the national team, which is seen as a source of national pride. “But why is this level of support not extended to other sports? Why are athletes like Asian Games ‘golden girl’ Tharushi Karunaratne, forced to sleep on tracks without proper nutrition and resources, while cricketers enjoy the luxury of world-class facilities and sponsorships?” asks Rathnapala.

Boxing, just like cricket, has the potential to bring international glory to Sri Lanka. It is a sport where grit, determination, and skill can place a country on the world map. There are already promising pugilists like Tharindu Roshan Madusanka, who has the potential to become a top-tier professional boxer, as well as several other rising stars. If these athletes are given the proper training and exposure, they could be the future champions that Sri Lanka deserves.

The dream is simple – to develop professional boxing in Sri Lanka. “As the only Sri Lankan professional boxing coach in the United States, I have built a strong reputation and established a successful boxing gym. I have trained boxers who are now competing at the highest levels. I know the sport inside out and have seen how countries like the Philippines and India have risen to prominence in professional boxing,” says Rathnapala.

Lamenting the lack of funding for sports other than cricket, he reflects, “There’s money for cricket, but where’s the funding for the rest of us? Helping athletes isn’t just good for them; it’s good for the sponsors too. It’s a win-win.”

Having invested over two decades in training and mentoring fighters in the U.S., Rathnapala, a former St Mary’s College, Dehiwela and Navy boxer, expresses his desire to replicate this success in Sri Lanka. “I’ve been doing this for 23 years. I’ve trained kids who were on the wrong path and helped them find jobs and build careers. I saved their lives, gave them direction. Now, I want to do the same in Sri Lanka.”

For Rathnapala, professional boxing in Sri Lanka isn’t just a personal ambition but a way to uplift young athletes and provide them with a brighter future. “This is my dream – it’s what I’ve wanted for years. I believe that once we have the right fighters and the right training, others will follow.”

“My dream is to give Sri Lankan boxers the chance to train professionally, compete internationally, and one day, bring home world championship titles. Together, we can make this dream a reality and prove that Sri Lanka is more than just a cricketing nation – it’s a country of champions across all sports,” pleads Rathnapala.

Source:Daily News