Meet Britain’s first Sikh female pro boxer

A 13-year-old girl waited patiently for her younger brother to begin his boxing session in a quiet gym in Hull.

She lacked gloves and no desire to participate.

Eight years later, Charan Kaur Dhesi has established himself as a boxing pro. She is the first Sikh woman to compete professionally in the professional ranks of boxing at the age of 21, breaking ground for both her sport and her community.

She tells BBC Sport, “I’ve just started making history.”

However, her journey has been challenging. Dhesi has faced cultural opposition, skepticism, and financial pressure as a South Asian woman competing in a sport that is predominantly male.

But with every punch, she turns opponents into supporters.

Dhesi was born into a sports-loving family, where his father, who advocated physical activity over academic endeavors, was a father.

People find this to be crazy because my parents never pursued my studies. They “pushed boxing,” she claims. I have two brothers, I say. Our father raised us all in sports.

However, the original plan did not include boxing. Dhesi, who had a history of karate, discovered the sport by accident when her brother joined a nearby gym.

“I had no idea what boxing was at first,” I said. I arrived at the gym [to my little brother’s request] and was just standing in the doorway when the coaches urged me to join in.

She initially opposed it, but she persevered and discovered something unique.

Dhesi never looked back since that day. She won three national titles, a silver medal from Europe, and three international crowns while competing as a young amateur.

But accolades were never the only thing that mattered. By launching a career in boxing, Dhesi wanted to challenge stereotypes.

However, turning professional presented new challenges and a fresh spotlight, particularly within her own neighborhood.

Who will marry you if you get hurt, I was asked, I was told. Shouldn’t you be in the kitchen, please? It was quite negative, and even said, “What’s your plan B? ” ‘.

She says, “But my plan A is boxing, and my plan B is boxing.”

When Dhesi made her professional debut in May, she immediately had an immediate impact by winning by knockout, and she immediately responded with her fists. Both her story and the clip went viral.

The same people who were skeptical of my abilities suddenly applauded me for standing up for the Punjabi and Sikh communities, she adds.

Although Dhesi’s success may have caused some media coverage, daily life is still a grind. Her entire career is still being supported by her parents, despite no sponsorship.

“I don’t work because I’m training,” I say. It’s therefore challenging. She claims that I’m missing out on training opportunities, better equipment, and frequent travel.

However, she has always been interested in more than just belts and prize money. It’s a way to celebrate her heritage and open doors for others.

There are “so many Sikh girls interested in boxing.” At events, people have gotten in touch with me and enquire about moving past my fear. And I’m like, “Do you know what, girl?” She says, “I’m going to show you how to do it and I’ll be there for you.”

I’d go there if a girl asked me for support, and she could live there or anywhere, to be honest. That is what I desire. I want to see more Sikh girls and boys involved.

She wants to start a gym in the Midlands one day so that fighters can train more than expectation.

And her unwavering counsel to the upcoming fighters, whether they are in the ropes or not, is unwavering.