Boxer Harish Koranga looks to build a good foundation

Bengaluru

Having just come back from a big victory in Nepal, Bengaluru-based boxer Harish Koranga is fully focused on building a solid base and showcasing Indian talent at the highest level. Living and training for a few years with White Corner Promotions in the city, he has put his faith in the gym for his future.

“I’m planning to build a great platform with White Corner for professional boxing because India is facing some flaws when it comes to promotions. It’s about the organization and I feel like we can do better,” he said. Boxers have always faced issues with promoters and organizers looking to capitalize on talents like Koranga and this still seems to be a roadblock for upcoming fighters.

Koranga was open about the scavenging he’s faced with some promoters in the past. “Some promotions in India, they completely ru ined the boxer’s potential and their passion just because they want their own boxers to win. They just want to create a record and then use them in the international level to earn more money, giving them a big fight. And suddenly you go to the international level and you fight with someone who's so skilled and for that fight you’re getting a very good amount. But all that money goes to the promoters,” Koranga said.

He also shared that in the beginning of his career, he faced back to back losses as he was not wise to the strategies of the promoters. Now, to avoid all these complications, Koranga has decided to stick with White Corner and hone his skills and record. Athletic from a young age, he competed in several combat sports and was drawn to boxing after seeing a coach giving lessons to students in a park when he was coming back from school.

“Wrestling, kick boxing, I did every thing. Then I see that boxing is a very respected sport because we can represent India at the Olympics level, which is very hard to do with taekwondo and other sports,” he said. Koranga has brought a lot of those lessons into his boxing, observers are always struck by his footwork and his speed. In Nepal, this came through in his bout as he beat Milan Nepali in the Gorkha Boxing Championship, a pioneering event in Nepal.

“That’s a great start for Nepal also because the competition level is top notch. My opponents were very professional, not only by game but by their behavior also, they just want to dominate their opponents,” Koranga said. Koranga is also a very disciplined boxer and recovers from fights through meditation and yoga, unlike others who would go out and celebrate.