ISLAMABAD: Pakistani middleweight boxer Shahir Afridi delivered a decisive technical knockout (TKO) victory over India’s Trijot Singh Bawa during an international ranking bout held in Thailand, amid heightened tensions between the two neighbouring countries.
Afridi, 27, known as The Markhor, overwhelmed his Indian opponent with an aggressive display of power and precision.
From the opening bell, Afridi maintained relentless pressure, forcing Bawa onto the defensive. By the third round, the Indian boxer was visibly shaken and unable to respond to the flurry of combinations.
The referee stepped in early in the fourth round, citing Bawa’s inability to defend himself, and awarded the bout to Afridi via TKO.
The victory improves Afridi’s professional record to 16 wins in 18 fights, including one loss and one draw.
The bout was part of an international ranking event, and Afridi’s victory has further cemented his reputation in the middleweight division. Afridi also serves in the Rapid Response Force of the Sindh Police.
In the women’s segment of the event, Pakistan’s Aalia Soomro also made headlines by knocking out her Thai opponent in the very first round.
Her swift victory underscored Pakistan’s growing talent pool in international boxing.
The bout gained added attention due to the backdrop of rising tensions between Pakistan and India following the deadly attack in Pahalgam area of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Without presenting evidence, Indian officials swiftly blamed Pakistan for the incident.
Pakistan strongly condemned the attack and rejected “baseless and irresponsible” accusations by India.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for a neutral and independent investigation into the Pahalgam attack and warned against unilateral actions that could further inflame the situation.
Following the attack, India’s Cabinet Committee on Security approved a series of measures, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and the closure of the Wagah-Attari border crossing.
In response, Pakistan announced the suspension of all trade with India, the closure of its airspace to Indian aircraft, and the expulsion of Indian diplomats.
Islamabad also warned that any Indian attempt to alter the flow of the Indus River—governed by a decades-old treaty—would be considered an act of war.
Though the boxing match was part of a routine international sporting event, it inevitably drew symbolic weight given the strained bilateral atmosphere. Observers noted that Afridi’s commanding win resonated with audiences in Pakistan as a moment of national pride during a period of heightened regional anxiety.
