Another Vijender?

Updated On: 13 September, 2009 06:48 AM IST | | Alisha Coelho and Suresh K K

Not from Mumbai, says local boxing club

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Not from Mumbai, says local boxing club

Bhanji Mahida's first dreams of glory were not related to boxing at all. "I was in a karate club but I left after a fight with members there. My uncle was into boxing and urged me to join. It was an exciting time for us in the '80s. There were boxing matches nearly every week and greats like Manoj Pingle and Aspi Adajania ruled the scene. You were respected in the streets and when boxing clubs used to practice, it seemed like armies were at war," said Mahida.

Bhanji Mahida runs the dilapidated SouthPaw Boxing Club in Tardeo

Cut to status quo. Mahida runs the dilapidated SouthPaw Boxing Club in Tardeo, has less than seven participants in the sub junior category and is no longer surprised by the rate of dropouts. "When you play cricket well in a gully, you're the local hero. When you stage impromptu boxing matches there, you're a goon."

Mahida bemoans the fact that the interest is next to dead in the island city when it comes to boxing. "When my mentor R N Sethana, founded this club there were more than 35 members in the junior and senior categories each and more than 20 kids in the under-17 division."