Malshan Jayasekera’s journey from a bullied schoolboy to Sri Lanka’s Ultimate Boxer Champion at Fight Night V is a story of resilience, hard work and unwavering determination. Born prematurely in 1992, Malshan grew up in Kandy, where he faced numerous challenges due to his small stature and fragile health. “When I was in school, I was actually one of the weakest kids,” Malshan recalls. “I was a premature baby and got bullied a lot because of how weak I was.”
Despite these early struggles, Malshan was driven to prove himself, which eventually led him to the world of combat sports.
During his school years at Dharmaraja College, Kandy, Malshan tried his hand at various sports like cricket but didn’t find his calling. “I tried different sports like cricket, but they didn’t work out,” he says.
It wasn’t until he got involved in a brawl at school that his journey into boxing began. “One day, I got into a college brawl and ended up joining a boxing club because the teachers were upset with me for hitting someone,” he recalled. This unexpected turn led him to boxing, which turned out to be a pivotal moment in his life. Under the guidance of his coach, Rukman Wekadapola, Malshan discovered that boxing provided the perfect outlet for his frustrations and a way to channel his energy positively.
As he honed his skills, Malshan quickly began to excel in boxing, winning multiple medals in school tournaments. “I participated in school meets like LVJ, TB Jayah, junior nationals and youth Nationals. I won medals in those events,” he proudly recalls.
These early successes were crucial in building his confidence and solidifying his passion for the sport. However, after finishing school, his focus shifted to academics. In 2011, he completed his A-levels and moved to Colombo for higher studies, putting his boxing career on hold while he pursued a BSc in Logistics Management and later an MSc in International Marketing.
Despite the demands of his studies and part-time jobs, Malshan’s passion for combat sports never waned. In 2015, he joined an MMA club due to the lack of private boxing clubs at the time. “Around 2015, I joined an MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) club because there were no private boxing classes available then,” he explains.
This switch to MMA opened new doors for him, and he quickly rose through the ranks, winning national titles such as the Ceylon Fighting Championship in Season 2 and 4, and even earning the best fighter award. These achievements in MMA helped him rediscover his love for boxing when he received an invitation to compete in a Thailand Fighting Championship for a boxing bout.
Although he hadn’t trained for boxing in years, Malshan embraced the challenge and began training rigorously under coaches Gihan Madhuwantha and Manul Lakshith at Back2Fit club. “I hadn’t trained for boxing for a long time, so I joined my current club,” he recalls.
His hard work and dedication paid off, as he gradually improved and regained his boxing form. Even though he lost his boxing fight in Thailand to a competitor from the USA, the experience was invaluable and it reignited his passion for the sport.
Malshan’s return to boxing was marked by significant achievements. He participated in tournaments like the Novices and Intermediates and won a gold medal in the Fight Night tournament. His impressive performance in both boxing and MMA earned him the opportunity to compete for the Ultimate Boxer title at Fight Night V.
Facing a formidable opponent from Paris, who had an impeccable record, Malshan’s preparation was intense. “It was a tough fight, but my coaches and I worked hard, training five days a week, morning and evening, and even on Saturday mornings,” he says. Despite being a full-time employee, Malshan managed to fit in gym workouts in the mornings and training after work. “It was a tough period, but I won the fight and it was worth all the effort,” he says with pride.
For Malshan, this victory was not just a personal triumph but a testament to the importance of perseverance and dedication. “It’s a very big thing, and it’s very nice because a private organisation has come to the picture and do these kinds of events,” he explains. Competing in a country with limited boxing tournaments, he sees events like Fight Night as vital for the growth of the sport in Sri Lanka and a stepping stone towards his ultimate goal of representing his country in international tournaments and winning medals on the global stage.
Reflecting on his journey, Malshan acknowledges that boxing is more challenging than MMA due to the level of competition in Sri Lanka. “I don’t know about others, but for me, boxing is harder than MMA because of the level of competition in Sri Lanka,” he admits. Despite the intensity and demands of the sport, he remains motivated and disciplined. He leads a lifestyle that supports his athletic goals, avoiding junk food, alcohol and late nights. “Sacrifice has become a normal part of my lifestyle now. I don’t eat junk food, I don’t smoke or drink and I don’t go to parties anymore,” he shares.
Malshan credits much of his success to his family that has been supportive throughout his journey. His father, who was into wrestling and long-distance running and his sister, who practiced karate and athletics, have been significant influences, inspiring him to pursue sports and stay committed to his goals.
One of the most significant influences in Malshan’s life has been Muhammad Ali. “Muhammad Ali has always been my biggest inspiration and role model. What he did both in the ring and outside of it really impressed me,” he says. Inspired by Ali’s achievements, Malshan admired the legendary boxer’s courage, discipline and ability to stand up for his beliefs despite the odds. This admiration fuelled his desire to emulate Ali’s drive and commitment, pushing him to overcome his own challenges in pursuit of greatness.
Today, as a role model to many young athletes in Sri Lanka, Malshan’s advice to aspiring sportspeople is simple: “If you want to do something, start right now and be consistent about it.” He believes that every person faces obstacles and setbacks, but perseverance is key to success. “No matter how many times you fail, you have to keep pushing forward,” he encourages. Drawing from his own experiences of facing numerous losses and challenges, he emphasises the importance of never giving up, regardless of the difficulties one might face.
“Losing is a part of the game and it’s important not to give up after just one or two losses. Perseverance is key, so keep going, no matter what,” he contends.
