E-Paper
Now unveiling: Boxers with a different label
Beijing Olympic quarterfinalist Akhil Kumar has been nicknamed Sikander. He will be fighting for his franchise Mumbai Fighters under his new identity --- Akhil Kumar 'Sikander'.
What's in a name? Not much, it seems.
Therefore, India's top boxers have been given peppy nicknames for the World Series of Boxing (WSB).
Beijing Olympic quarterfinalist Akhil Kumar has been nicknamed Sikander. He will be fighting for his franchise Mumbai Fighters under his new identity --- Akhil Kumar 'Sikander'.
"The franchise said the nickname will be given to each and every boxer of the team keeping in mind his personality and playing style. I got the name Sikander because my team officials feels that I win hearts through my boxing," said Akhil Kumar, who has had the jo jeeta wohi sikander number as his mobile ring tone for a number of years.
The other ones
World Cup bronze medallist Jitender Kumar has been given name 'Haryana Hammer' and former cadet world champion Balbir Singh will be known as 'Untouchable'. Athens Olympian Diwakar Prasad will carry his new identity 'DK 47'. Rookie Mandeep Jhangra, who is the fastest runner among the Mumbai Fighters and will hence have 'Runner' added to his original name.
A boxer from Haryana Krishan Kumar in the heavy weight category got a name 'Smile'.
Even the foreigners in the team have also got the nicknames. American heavy weight boxer Paul will be recognised by Paul 'The Machine'.
Bout that counts
So, will the new identity suppress their existing identity? "As Shakespeare has said, 'What's in the name'.
If I perform, people will recognise with whatever name I have and if I don't let my punches talk then they will forget me no matter whatever fancy name I have," said Akhil Kumar 'Sikander'.
