LFL and BASL Unite to elevate the sport and Empower Athletes Nationwide

BASL president Dian Gomes (centre) addressing the press conference with LFL Co-Founder Emmanuel Murugaiah (left) and BASL vice president Col. Hemantha Weerasinghe

The sport of boxing received a major boost with the launch of the Lanka Fight League (LFL) in partnership with the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL).

LFL emerges as a ground-breaking initiative in Sri Lanka, dedicated to revolutionising the sport of boxing and empowering athletes across the nation.

The inaugural tournament will take place on 27 April at the MAs Royal Arena from 5:30 pm onwards.

The launch event of LFL in Colombo promises to be a spectacular showcase of boxing talent, featuring thrilling matches designed to ignite excitement and anticipation for the league and BASL.

“We are thrilled to launch LFL and collaborate with BASL to elevate boxing in Sri Lanka. This is a momentous occasion for the sport, and we look forward to showcasing the talent of our local boxers,” stated Lt Cdr Chandralal Nanayakkara (rtd), co-founder of LFL at a press conference on Friday.

Emmanuel Murugaiah, Co-Founder of LFL, indicated, “With hearts full of hope, we begin this journey. Our mission is to lift up and empower Sri Lankan boxers, not just with victories, but with the resources and opportunities they deserve. Together, we will rewrite their stories, transforming struggle into success, abundance, and prosperity. It’s time for a new dawn for these athletes and the boxing community, a time for redemption.”

BASL president Dian Gomes, stated, “I am immensely grateful for the collaborative spirit between BASL and Lanka Fight League. Together, we are making significant strides in elevating Sri Lankan boxing. This partnership creates a powerful platform to nurture our nation’s boxing talents, empowering them to shine. It’s a testament to the transformative power of collaboration, and I am confident that through our combined efforts, the future of Sri Lankan boxing is incredibly bright.”

“I firmly believe that collaborations between stakeholders will propel boxing to new heights. The introduction of professional boxing in Sri Lanka, starting with three-round fights and gradually expanding, promises exciting opportunities, not just in sports but also in tourism,” he added.

“It brings me immense joy to be present here and to engage in the stories and insights shared about LFL, as well as the collaboration with BASL. Our vision is to rejuvenate and redefine the sport of boxing in Sri Lanka. Dian Gomes eloquently delved into the rich history of boxing in our country, spanning nearly a century. This begs the question: where do we stand today, and what is our responsibility as citizens of Sri Lanka?” said Murugaiah

“Our duty is clear: to contribute meaningfully to our shared heritage. With this in mind, I’d like to shed light on our plans for execution. Our mission, already articulated, revolves around providing a fresh perspective and invigorating spirit to the sport,” he pointed out.

“Firstly, we aim to unite all amateur boxers under one comprehensive platform, bolstering their capabilities and confidence. Additionally, we envision expanding beyond amateur ranks. To achieve this, we recognise the need for new avenues and resources. Hence, we are launching the LFL School League, an initiative designed to unearth and nurture talent from grassroots levels,” he said.

“While there are numerous sporting events vying for attention in our country, including MMA and Muay Thai, our aim isn’t competition, but rather cooperation. We aspire to synergise with existing systems, fostering a renewed vigour and trajectory for the sport,” he added.

“By partnering with Lanka Fight League, particularly with Co-founders Lt Cdr Chandralal Nanayakkara and Mr. Emanuel Murugaiah, we’ll unlock new opportunities to elevate Sri Lankan boxing. United by a shared commitment, we’ll develop the nation’s most talented fighters, providing them a platform to excel domestically as we propel them towards the international stage,” stated BASL vice president Col. Hemantha Weerasinghe.

The inaugural event will see a card of eight fights, including three women bouts, selected from their performances at the National Boxing Championships.

Tickets will be available on https://mytable.lk/, priced at LKR 2,000/- for Normal and LKR 4,000/- for VIP Tickets.

The fight card:

MEN

Minimum Under 48kg: HMLP Jayawardena (Army) vs DH Tisaraarachchi (Back2Fit BC)

Bantam Under 54kg: RMP Dharmasena (Army) vs KVL Eranda (Air Force)

Feather Under 57kg: PAR Prasanna (Army) vs PGE Madushan (Air Force)

Welter Under 67kg: PSPS Fernando (Army) vs AMTS Adikari (Navy)

Middle Under 75kg: KG Pathmasiri (Army) vs WMGKGI Ariyarathna (Navy)

WOMEN

Minimum Under 48kg: HKNN Perera (Army) vs SV Rathnapuli (Hanwella Rajasinghe BC)

Bantam Under 54kg: LIN Malshani (Air Force) vs RMYDB Menike (Navy)

Feather Under 57kg: KKIT Perera (Air Force) vs GGC Tharuka (Police)