Heavyweight boxing debutant Ravneel Anand steps into the ring for the Stratum Construction ZEG Kings Boxing Promotion event this Saturday at the Vodafone Arena meeting his opponent and dear friend Kimo Vakalalavure.
And as their friendship pivots into a contest for who will reign over the other in the ring, Anand emphasises the importance of the game of boxing.
Anand will face Vakalalavure in his first bout and does so after being a fitness instructor and stepping into the sport five years ago.
Since strapping on his gloves, he has gone through a journey of spiritual clarity, balancing family time with his fitness regimen and understanding the intricacies of the sport.
His wife and parents keep him grounded and he credits their backing as a supportive one since day one.
With time running thin until the promotion gets underway, he has also called on fans and supporters of boxing to come out in numbers.
“We have trained together, we have also sparred together,” Anand said yesterday.
“Kimo (Vakalalavure) is a friend of mine, and now he’s an opponent.”
As their friendship pivots into a rivalry, he says the sport’s promotion and their respective support systems tower above all else.
“(At the) end of the day, boxing should be a winner. He has a beautiful baby girl, he has to go back to his family, and I have to go back to my family to look after my parents, to my wife.”
