When Karanveer Singh was growing up in Lathrop, he was encouraged by one of his brothers to get into the sport of boxing.

Some nine years later, this once “skinny kid” would grow to become a promising professional fighter out of Slick Rick Boxing in Manteca.

Media Day was held Tuesday morning at the boxing gym located at 212 N. Main St. Rick Casillas, who is the owner and operator, took over the business from his mentor Richard Perez about four years ago.

The event consisting of notables such as San Joaquin County Board of Supervisor-District 3 Sonny Dhaliwal and Manteca Mayor Gary Singh was held to recognize Singh, 24, who recently won in his pro debut, scoring a first-round knockout of super lightweight Macias in Mexico.

Singh is better known as Kirby Singh. His nickname in the ring is ‘Shikari,’ which, in Punjabi, means hunter.

Punjabis are associated with the Punjab region, which is divided between India and Pakistan. Punjabi Americans such as Mayor Singh and Supervisor Dhaliwal are among those who have made a significant and growing presence.

“It’s encouraging to have a young person (like Kirby) in his field serving as an inspiration to other (Punjabis),” said Dhaliwal, who brought his nephew Raj – a 2022 graduate at Sierra High, he, too, is a boxer, with his father being Tony Dhaliwal, who is also active in the community – to media day event.

He along with Kirby Singh have enjoyed their time in the ring, learning to box while building their self-esteem and discipline at Slick Rick Boxing, which welcomes students from as young as age 8 to adult. Casillas currently has 130 students including two pros in Singh and Kathrine Connor (for more info, click on to www.slickrickboxing.com).

Mayor Singh and Supervisor Dhaliwal were both presented with autographed Kirby Singh boxing gloves.

A 2019 graduate of Lathrop High, Kirby Singh credits his brother Pardeep for encouraging to get into boxing. “He told me I was too skinny and I was going to get picked on,” he recalled.

His journey has been nothing short of inspiring.

“There have been many challenges along the way that helped shaped his journey, from an amateur standout to a professional contender,” according to slickrick.boxing on Kirby Singh via social media.

His style is that of a defensive-minded counterpuncher. Kirby Singh is also southpaw – a stance in boxing in which the lefthanders employ an “unorthodox” right hand and right foot forward.

“Defense is important to me,” said Singh, who promotes brain health in association with his chosen sport.

He’s currently fighting in the 140-pound weight class – known as super lightweight or junior welterweight in boxing – and fought throughout the state in the California Golden Gloves as an amateur.

As for his pro debut?

“It went pretty smooth,” said Kirby Singh, who listed Muhammad Ali, Roy Jones Jr., and Prince Naseem as his favorite boxers to watch and study.

His workouts consist of five or six days of road work and hitting one of the local gyms coupled with five days training at Slick Rick Boxing.

Casillas serves as his trainer and manager with their next fight scheduled for May 24 in Los Banos.

Among his biggest supporters are his mother, Kulwinder, and his oldest brother Pardeep.

Mayor Singh can relate to Kirby Singh. He, too, grew up in Lathrop, where he was “the only Indian kid” back then.

Both serve as what can be to those of Punjabi and other cultures by “trying to inspire” young people.

In addition to boxing, Kirby Singh is self-employed while doing auto detailing and is currently attending Las Positas College – he spent a year at Sac State – studying business.

From outside the ring during Media Day, Fredo Perez was quick to proclaim Kirby Singh as a champion without a belt.

But that day may come. “He’ll put Manteca on the map,” Perez added.