The Beginning Of A Professional Boxing Career - An Interview With Charan Kaur Dhesi
"I want young Sikh girls to have me to look up to….I will be the first Sikh female world champion boxer."
Hardeep Singh Dhadwalh
May 10, 2025 | 3 min. read | Interview
This Saturday, 20-year-old Charan Kaur Dhesi begins her journey as a professional boxer in her hometown of Hull, Humberside, UK, in the aptly titled Homecoming.
Her debut possibly marks the first Kaur pursuing a successful career in professional combat sport, following in the footsteps of respected competitors like Sangeeta Birdi. As a junior amateur, Dhesi is a three-time national champion and medalled at the international level, marking her as an outstanding prospect in the sport.
Hardeep Singh Dhadwalh spoke with Charan Kaur for Baaz before her debut.
How did you get into boxing?
I did karate for eight years, got to brown belt, and before I went for black, I got into boxing. My brother was already training in boxing whilst I didn’t even know what it was. I was watching my brother training, and the coaches asked if I wanted to join in. I had seen Luke Campbell from my city win an Olympic gold and so I was interested. I was hesitant at first, but after putting on gloves and hitting the pads, the coach made me demonstrate my shots to the class because I was good, and it gave me confidence to keep going.
What made you want to turn professional at just 20 years old?
I broke my wrist a few years ago after winning everything I could have as an amateur. During this time out, I knew I wanted to go pro because everything about it seemed better than being amateur. I get to train at a better standard and everything is so much more organised.
Who do you look up to in the sport?
Claressa Shields and Caroline Dubois are my favourite boxers. However, I want to be someone young Sikh girls can look up to, as I do to these boxers. I do this for them. I never had someone like me to look up to, so I aim to make history.
How has preparation for your professional debut gone?
Boxing is about discipline. You must be focused, all in or not at all. It’s been hard. I’ve had setbacks, injuries, wrong crowds of friends…but I’m here now. It helped me become stronger, and it’s taken me to where I am now. Boxing is now my lifestyle when it used to be a hobby.
What are your aims in the sport?
I will be the first Sikh female world champion! We need the representation! Us Kaurs can do it too! We are strong and no less than boys. I hope to inspire our girls to pick up gloves and go train even if it’s just for self-defence. I want our girls to know they can be champions. I want them to have no fear and show our warrior spirit in our blood.
How has Sikhi inspired your journey in boxing?
My faith is about learning. We are all constantly learning. I am very focused on my faith and becoming a better person. My faith helps me stay calm and removes worries from my mind. It helps me concentrate. Connecting to Waheguru is something only some people know. The feeling is like no other. I feel so at peace. I know I have the strength of Sikhi behind me.
What has the reception to your decision to pursue this path been like, especially considering it is so rare for a Kaur?
Without hate, there is no love. People are going to think and say what they want, regardless. So why care? I don’t care. A lot of aunties and uncles have their single-minded opinions, but there is no other Sikh female doing what I’m doing. This is a chance for me to pave the way for them. I use their comments as a motivation to win and to keep going to prove I am who I am. I only ever need to prove anything to myself but I will show the world, especially the Punjabi Sikh community, that a Kaur can make history!
How do you hope other Sikhs – especially Kaurs – will view your boxing journey?
I feel like I’m a role model now. I have messages from young Sikh girls and boys. I feel like I will be able to help them, especially the girls. I’m always here for any of them to talk to or if they want to ask me anything. I love to help people. My aim is purely to represent the Kaurs and take our name worldwide, and inspire all girls. The more girls who look up to me, the more I want to succeed. I’ll always travel the country to network and connect with these people to be that role model.
Hardeep Singh Dhadwalh is a sports journalism student and sevadaar of The Sikh Press Association.
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