Ambitious Theena
Malaysian out to KO India’s Siddharth in support fight
PETALING JAYA: Malaysian pro boxer Theena Thayalan hopes to deliver a knock-out when he takes on India’s Siddharth Varma in the welterweight contest at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil this Sunday.
The welterweight contest is a supporting fight for the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title fight between Filipino Manny Pacquiao and Argentinian Lucas Matthysse, which will be beamed live to the world.
“I may be a southpaw but I can fight with both my hands. I have been training intensively for the last few weeks as this will be the biggest fight of my professional career.
“I want to win it and make the country proud,” said the 20-yearold Theena from Kajang, who was a gold medallist at the last Sukma (Malaysia Games) in Perlis in 2016 before turning pro.
Theena trains at Vladimir’s Boxing Gym and his manager Anil Kumar said they are leaving nothing to chance with the preparations.
“We have entered the conditioning phase as we want to keep his reflexes sharp.
“There is no more sparring for him as sparring only increases the risk of injury and we want to avoid this.
“He is watching his weight also as we want to stay under 147lbs before the weighing-in on Saturday.
“He is also getting massages to recover from sore muscles, thanks to Yap Chan Kor Pain Treatment Centre,” said Anil.
Matthysse has been here since last weekend while Pacquiao flew in yesterday for the fight, which will be the second major boxing blockbuster in the nation after 43 years.
Muhammad Ali took on Britishborn Joe Bugner and won at the Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur back in July 1975.