Becoming The First Pro Boxer
Bangladesh has a new hero in the boxing ring. His name is Sura Krishna Chakma. He didn’t just stumble into boxing. He started in 2007 as a young fighter with big dreams. By 2013, he had already claimed the Bangladesh Games championship. Just a year later, he became the national champion.
2014 was huge for Sura. He represented Bangladesh at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Competing on an international stage isn’t easy, but Sura was just getting started. In 2015, he trained in London for six months, supported by Ali Jacko and Matchroom Sports. That move turned him into Bangladesh’s first professional boxer.
By 2016, Sura earned a Rio Olympic scholarship. That recognition wasn’t just for show. It meant the world was starting to notice him. In 2019, he brought home a bronze medal from the South Asian Games in Nepal. Then came 2020 and 2021, when he reclaimed the national championship and became Bangladesh’s first International pro boxing champion. Health setbacks kept him from competing at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, but fans knew his best was yet to come.
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Victories and the First Defeat
Sura’s pro career took off in 2018 in India. He fought two professional bouts and won both by knockout. One match, against Ashish Barman, ended in the first round. On Facebook, Sura wrote, “As the first professional boxer of Bangladesh, I won the debut match today. My hard work has paid off. I want to go far.” And he did.
Thailand witnessed another of Sura’s spectacular performances. On January 25, 2024, he competed at the ‘Way of the Champions: Roar of Dragons’ event in Bangkok, hosted by Highland Promotions. Sanctioned by the WBA Asia and the Asian Boxing Federation, the tournament saw Sura facing Thai boxer Sornram Sopakul. The match was set for six rounds–but Sura ended it in round two, knocking out Sornram in just 1 minute and 50 seconds. The crowd went wild. His punches and jabs had everyone on the edge of their seats.
Back home, Sura dominated the ‘Path to Glory: Hustle in Dhaka Square' tournament in Banani, Dhaka. Organized by Xcel Sports Management and The Arena Promotions, the event featured 13 bouts. The highlight fight was Sura vs. India’s Sandeep Kumar. Sura’s quick counterattacks earned him a sixth consecutive pro victory.
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But every champion faces challenges. In the Beximco Xcel Boxing Championship 3.0 at Hotel InterContinental Dhaka, Sura experienced his first defeat. Chinese boxer Biao Liu ended Sura’s six-year unbeaten streak in a six-round bout. It was a shock–but even legends have their tough times, right? Before that, Sura had defeated Thailand’s Sornram and India’s Sandeep Kumar with ease.
Sura’s record speaks volumes: nine wins, five by knockout, and only one defeat. He even extended his unbeaten streak to six in the super lightweight division against Nepal’s Mahendra Bahadur Chand. Sura knocked Mahendra down twice, but the resilient opponent rose both times. In the end, Sura’s skill and determination won the day.
Beyond victories, Sura isn’t afraid to speak his mind. After Jake Paul beat an ageing Mike Tyson in 2024, Sura challenged the YouTuber himself. On Facebook, he wrote, “Jake Paul, 27-year-old, defeats 58-year-old legend Mike Tyson. How funny! Fight someone who is a real boxer. I can beat you, Jake Paul.” Bold words, but that’s the confidence of a true fighter.
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Boxing Beyond Winning
After the pandemic, Sura founded the Rangamati W.B. (Wushu Boxing) Club. Starting with a small group at Rangamati Mari Stadium, the club has grown into a structured program. They now train on the roof of Tubo Fitness Gym, charging a small fee to sustain the space.
Sura’s club is open to everyone–boys, girls, trainees from BKSP, anyone willing to learn. “We welcome everyone,” Sura says. “It’s about more than boxing. It’s about building confidence and unity.” His inclusive approach has created a strong sense of community among young people.
He hopes to expand beyond Rangamati to Bandarban and Khagrachari. His goal is simple: make boxing popular and accessible, while empowering youth with life skills. For Sura, boxing isn’t just a sport–it’s a lifestyle and a tool for positive change.
