Pal has been a boxing coach for over 25 years and has been associated with the Indian national team for the majority of his career.

He began as the coach in charge of the junior and sub-junior national teams and moved to the senior ranks in 1992.

He remained in his role with the senior team through to 2003 and since 2006 has been the coach of the senior women's national team who will be aiming for glory at London 2012 when women's boxing makes its Olympic debut.

In his new role, Pal will be tasked with making the India franchise a major force in their debut season in the WSB, which is currently the only professional boxing competition that allows amateur boxers to retain their Olympic eligibility, despite featuring professional-style scoring with three judges and no head guards or vests.

"Shiv Kumar Pal, for his sheer experience in coaching Indian boxers, brings a lot of value for Mumbai Fighters," said team principal Udit Sheth.

"You don't find coaches like Mr Pal with such dedication to a sport.

"After 25 years of coaching Indian boxers at various levels, he has been there and done it all.

"I welcome him and assure that in tow with our technical director Joe Clough, Mr Pal will bring favourable results for Mumbai Fighters."

The Mumbai Fighters are one of two new franchise teams for season two of the WSB alongside Germany's Leipzig Leopards.

They join ten other franchises in a new look format to the competition that will see the 12 teams divided into two groups of six.

Group A will feature Pohang Poseidons, Dynamo Moscow, Dolce & Gabbana Milano Thunder, Astana Arlans, Los Angeles Matadors and Mumbai Fighters.

Group B features defending team champions Paris United, Istanbulls, Baku Fires, Beijing Dragons, Leipzig Leopards and Mexico City Guerreros.

As the Mumbai Fighters head coach, Pal will link up with the highly renowned technical director of the Indian franchise Joe Clough of America, who welcomed the appointment of the experienced Indian coach.

"My understanding of Indian boxing's culture will only get better with Shiv Kumar Pal's entry to Mumbai Fighters," said 69-year-old Clough, who during a stellar career has worked with a number of legendary world champions including Sugar Ray Leonard and Evander Holyfield.

"His know-how of boxing in the country is immense and that will help us realise our ultimate goal of bringing the best out of our boxers.

"Our aim is to forge a partnership that not only benefits the team but also help the boxers become better."

The Mumbai Fighters team consists of 20 boxers, including seven foreign nationals and 13 Indians.

Season two of the WSB competition gets underway on November 11.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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