Former St Mary’s College, Dehiwela and Navy boxer turned professional coach in America, Bandula Ratnapala, predicted a bright future for Sri Lanka’s professional boxing star Tharindu Roshan Madushanke who won a career-defining victory in the ‘Countdown to the Middle East Crown’ (CMEC) Series 5 held in Colombo.
Madushanke outpointed a tough opponent from Uganda, Tamale Lawrence, in the Light Heavyweight (under 79kg) to win by unanimous decision in only his second professional bout.
Ratnapala was impressed by the level of professionalism displayed by Madushanke. “The way he boxed, Tharindu showed that he is a real professional. He dominated the fight. He controlled the fight. His opponent couldn’t catch him.
“He was jabbing and did not allow his opponent to get close to him. That is professional boxing,” said the veteran coach who founded Straight Jab Boxing Club powered by DJMC in New Jersey, USA.
It was a far cry from the boxer who lost on his debut in Dubai along with two other Sri Lankans Niraj Wijewardana and Kaumini Hashini. “That time they came without any training. This time we prepared them as professional fighters. Especially Tharindu, he trained in Canada with coach Robbie Wiseman under the supervision of Diego Rosario, a world class boxing trainer and myself.
“We prepared him 200 percent and teach him about scientific boxing, professional boxing and how to control the fight,” said Ratnapala who has over two decades experience as a professional boxing trainer in the United States.
Wijewardana and Hashini trained in Dubai under the American coach Anthony Wilson in Dubai.
“We have to give them good training for professional fights in the future. Irrespective of how much amateur experience you have, professional boxing is a completely different subject,” he said lamenting the fact that Lasindu Eranda was knocked out because he was not ready for professional boxing.
“Good trainers should know how to train for professional fights. There are a lot of things to teach. This is the key. That’s why he (Madushanke) won,” he said.
“After he came from Canada, the next day I took him for training in a gym for conditioning, bag punching and pad work. Then Diego came,” he said, expressing his gratitude to Back to Fit gym owner Gihan Maduwantha for opening his gym for training.
“I kept him in the hotel. I didn’t bring him out to the media or anything. I just keep him relaxed. I put the lion in the cage until fight day. Then he came out and did the job,” said Ratnapala.
As for the future of professional boxing in Sri Lanka, Ratnapala said DJMC’s Dunstan Rozairo has opened the door and shown the pathway for boxers to continue their careers after their amateur days are over.
“DJMC is there to help good amateurs who want to be professional. If they are very good, we can even bring them to the USA but the Sports Ministry has to support us. I can give better training because I know in Sri Lanka there are no professional trainers,” he said.
However, Ratnapala pointed out that every amateur cannot be a professional.
“You have to have skills and a big heart. You have to be dedicated. Love the sport. Have a dream to be professional. After you win one fight you cannot tell you are a professional fighter. You have to go a long way and have to climb the ladder,” he said.
“To become a professional you need at least 50 good amateur fights. Without a good amateur record, you can’t be a professional,” he added.
Describing CMEC 5 as a historic day in Sri Lanka, he said it has given hope for boxers in the future.
“Everybody saw and the whole country witnessed. Boxers know they have a future. They can work to a plan. As a Sri Lankan I am proud to help Sri Lankan professionals. Tharindu made history by carving his name in golden letters with the best fight of the tournament,” added Ratnapala. (AO)