The gloves are off—and the challenge is on—as a fierce rivalry erupts in Lyari, Pakistan’s legendary breeding ground for boxing champions. Rising star Alia Soomro, who recently declared herself the first professional female boxer to represent Pakistan internationally, now finds herself squarely in the sights of 19-year-old national silver medallist Gohar Taj.
In a fiery video statement that quickly went viral, Gohar issued a bold challenge: “I openly challenge Alia Soomro to step into the ring with me—anywhere in Pakistan. Let’s find out who the real queen of the ring is!”
Gohar, a decorated athlete serving in the Pakistan Navy with multiple gold medals at the Sindh and inter-provincial levels, disputed Alia’s claim of winning a professional title in Thailand. She also questioned Alia’s self-proclaimed status as Pakistan’s first professional female boxer, noting that Alia’s experience has so far been limited to district-level competition.
Alia, 21, recently gained national attention after announcing her participation in an international bout against an Indian opponent in Dubai, an event reportedly supported by the Sindh government. Her claim to be breaking new ground for Pakistani women in professional boxing has sparked debate—and now, a direct challenge.
For sports fans across the country, this is more than a personal rivalry. It’s a contest of legacy, legitimacy, and the future of women’s boxing in Pakistan. Both fighters hail from Lyari, a working-class neighborhood in Karachi famous for producing elite athletes, particularly in boxing and football.
The anticipation is building in local gyms and beyond, as Pakistan’s boxing community braces for what could become the most electrifying all-female match in the nation’s history.
Who will emerge as the true champion of Lyari—and of Pakistan? The answer may soon come in the ring.
