| Nepal’s First Pro Boxer Debind Ignites Fire In U.S.
His trainer sees a world-class fighter in Debind who is capable of climbing the stairs of success. And Thapa is already giving impressive performances. By Sushil Thapa.
In the razzmatazz world of professional boxing dominated by the Americans, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Africans and British, a stocky pugilist standing 5' 3" is gradually inching towards stardom. His world ranking is 16th and fights in the super bantam division. Boxing experts see him as a potential champion in the making and have extensively highlighted his ring expertise.
The famed "Ring Magazine" described him ," Wild, crazy fighting style,all over the place like a puppet with half the string cut off". Of the hundreds alien boxers who have made the United States, Mecca of professional boxing their second domicile he is one.Almost two years ago for the first time I watched him box on ESPN 's Friday night fights .Not until ring side commentators addressed him " The Nepal Tiger" did I realize that I was watching my own country man in action.My initial reaction was that of disbelief. I was overwhelmed with pride and joy to see the first ever Nepali professional boxer. My euphoria swelled further as he licked his rival into submission.
Yes I am talking about our own Debind Thapa or Devindra Thapa ( known by both names), 22-year from a sleepy remote village of Syangja. Ambitious is Thapa .He has dreams loftier than Mt Everest contrast to his diminutive stature.
" My cherished dream is to become a world champion. Admittedly, I have a Herculean task on hand, nevertheless, I have great confidence in myself," said a compact and wiry Thapa.
He idolizes the great Ali and draws inspiration from former world champion Prince Hamed, the Yemeni-British national whose feats he wants to emulate. One might get the impression that it's just another of Wheeler’s grandiose schemes. That's not so. His hunger for success writ large on his face.
His journey from Syangja to Atlantic City, New Jersey has been a saga of struggle. His greatness, however, lies in his rock solid determination, conviction and willpower to withstand the adversity.
In line with the family tradition he joined the Indian Army at a tender age. It was there he took to boxing and coaches were quick to notice his sublime skills. Tapping and capitalizing Thapa’s potential and instinct, the hard-core veteran army coaches turned him into a lethal and explosive boxer. Inside the ring he made mincemeat of his opponents one after another.
His quick reflexes, effective jabs and knock out punches not only made headlines but also earned him the army and the national titles. Motivated by his success he made great strides and enriched his boxing credentials. For five years he was the undisputed Asian Amateur champion and triumphed at the 1997 World Cup championship. By representing India at the Atlantic Olympic Games the 115 pounder reached an important milestone in his blossoming career.
During the Olympics he realized that the US was the right place for aspiring fighters, hoping to strike it rich in professional boxing. Determined to write history, Thapa, father of two was back in the land of opportunities in quest of glory, fame and money. The moment he touched down on JFK International Airport his problems eventually unfolded. Though taken care of by friends his biggest concern was to look for someone who could put faith in his boxing skills and support him. Hard hit financially he had to find a job to take care of his training expenses. Left without an option he took up a job at a gas station in Southern New Jersey. He had to live and lives on a meager six-dollar hourly wage to his day.
On the recommendation of a friend he visited Pleasantville Recreation club in New Jersey to meet Clarence Butch Mitchell, a 40-year veteran of the fight who trained heavyweight champion Matthew Saad Muhammad.
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Blow by blow account of Thapa's professional fights
World Ranking-16; Won-18, Lost- 1, Draw- 0; Trainer- Butch Mitchell; Manager- Pat Doran
2002
1. Beat Omar Adorno (Puerto Rico) in Raleigh, North Carolina in round 8 (unanimous decision).
2001
1.Beat Isidro Tejedor (Colombia) in Harrisburg, PA in round 6 (technical knock out)
2. Beat Mike Cribbin (USA) in AC, New Jersey in round 10 (on points).
3. Lost to Oscar Andrade (Mexico) in Atlantic City, New Jersey in round12 (unanimous decision)
2000
1.Beat Julio Coronell (Colombia) in Philadelphia, PA in round 5 (technical knock out).
2.Beat Dan Davis (USA) in Atlantic City, New Jersey round 6(technical knock out).
3. Beat Cesar Cortes (Puerto Rico) in Harrisburg, PA in round 2 (knock out)
4.Beat Rogers Mtagwa (Tanzania) in Philadelphia, PA in round 8( unanimous decision)
5.Beat Dan Davis (USA) in Philadelphia, PA in round 1(no contest)
6. Beat Glenn Ghany (USA) in Atlantic City, New Jersey in round 2 (knock out).
7. Ravil Mukhamadiarov (Russia) beat in Atlantic City, New Jersey in round 8 (on points)
1999
1.Beat Melquidades Ventura in Philadelphia, PA in first round (knock out).
2.Beat Coy Gibson (USA) in Harrisburg, PA in first round (technical knock out) 3.Beat Lionel Odom (USA) in Harrisburg, PA in round four (technical knock out).
4.Beat Mike Thomas (USA) in Glen Burnie, Maryland in round 6 (on points)
5. Beat Daniel Diaz in Atlantic City, New Jersey in round 1(knock out).
6.Beat Pedro Santos in Atlantic City, New Jersey in round 4(on points)
1998
1.Beat Terney Clark in Trenton, New Jersey in round 4 (knock out)
2. Beat Jerry Smith in Pleasantville, New Jersey in round 4 (on points)
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Recalling his first meeting with the veteran, Thapa, says, " At first he did not believe that I could box. Only after I presented him my boxing credentials that he displayed some kind of interest in me. Later when he sparred me with some locals he realized how wrong he was in his judgment. Impressed with my skills he agreed to become my trainer."
In no time Thapa made a name for himself by winning the prestigious "NABO" flyweight belt in Atlantic City. He then notched up a creditable win against a six-time" Golden Glove "local and stopped a five-time " Gloves" winner in round four. Before stepping into the ring as a pro he dispatched Mexican bantamweight champion in round six.
Finally in 1998 he made a flying start to his professional debut against local Jerry Smith, veteran of five fights. He looked far from impressive and got the better of his rival on points. A month later a vastly improved Thapa floored another local Tourney Clark in round 4. 1999 saw him dominate the ring with 6 big wins.
2000 was a big year for Thapa professionally. Not only he remained undefeated but also pulverized much bigger and stronger opponents. His demolition of undefeated American Glenn Ghany (9-0-0) in round 2 threw Thapa into the glare. By punching his way to a hard earned victory over tough and dangerous Tanzanian Rogers Mtagwa (9-2-0), he was able to establish his class. After he knocked down veteran Colombian Julio Cornell (19-14-1) in round 5 his world ranking skyrocketed.
2001 proved ominous for the Syangja native as his unblemished record took an unexpected beating He lost to Mexican Oscar Andrade in round 12 on points. Critics came down heavily on Thapa and attributed his down fall to his sluggishness, clumsiness and timidness.
Making no pretexts about the defeat, he had this to say," I was too circumspect and fought poorly technically. I cannot afford another mediocre performance. The loss however has helped me to become a more matured boxer."
Indeed he looks so and is back on the saddle. His latest victory came against seasoned Puerto Rican Omar Adorno (13-1-0) in Raleigh, North Carolina on 18 January 2002. After a grueling 8 round he came through with his head and hands high on points.
"I am ready to take the world," commented Thapa in a warrior like tone. Thapa in the fourth year of his professional career needs a major break through to make himself a true world title contender. His anxiety is understandable, as he desperately wants to bracket himself into the top ten.
Until then he has to divide his time between the gas station and gymnasium.
"I have gone through a much bigger grind in life. I have nothing to complain about. Most importantly, I have to continue delivering the goods to boost my career and rankings,” he added.
His trainer Butch Mitchell believes he has a world-class fighter in Thapa who is capable of climbing the stairs of success. Surely in the days to come we shall be hearing a lot more about Thapa's accomplishments, which will make every Nepali proud.
Sushil Thapa, a sports writer, currently resides in the U.S..