Aizawl: Mizo professional boxer NT. Lalbiakkima, who fights under the ring name “Zo Keite,” defeated Nepal’s Lal Prasad Upreti by unanimous decision in the main event of the Punch Boxing 13th Edition held at EXPOINN Hotel in Greater Noida on July 18.
The event is a professional boxing promotion featuring Indian and international fighters. The 13th edition brought together boxers from across the region, with Lalbiakkima headlining the main event against the Nepalese boxer.
The victory marked Lalbiakkima’s return to professional competition after a difficult period in his personal life. Over the past few years, he lost his wife, Lalrinchhani, in December 2023; he also lost his mother, K. Zothanpuii, in February 2026. His father had passed away in 2016.
For the bout, Lalbiakkima trained at HB Boxing & Alter SnC under coach H. Lalrinhlua (Hlubawiha). His management team included C. Lalruatfela (Lalbawiha) and Mapuia.
Congratulating Lalbiakkima on his victory, Mizoram BJP president K. Beichhua said in a Facebook post that despite enduring a difficult period marked by personal loss and hardship, God had given him renewed strength to care for his daughter and family. He congratulated Lalbiakkima for bringing recognition to Siaha district and Mizoram and praised his achievement.
Lalbiakkima is among Mizoram’s most accomplished boxers. He won a bronze medal at the 2018 President’s Cup in Kazakhstan after becoming the first Indian boxer to defeat reigning Olympic champion Hasanboy Dusmatov of Uzbekistan in an international competition. He also won silver at the 2017 Elite Men’s National Boxing Championships and bronze at the 2015 Senior National Championships. In 2021, he became the first Indian boxer to challenge for the International Boxing Association (IBA) Intercontinental title. He currently competes in the light flyweight division and has consistently been ranked among India’s leading professional boxers in his weight category.
