Mississauga natives Jimmy and Janu Sandhu, also known as ‘The Flash Bros’, have just announced that they will return to the boxing ring in Colombia next month.
The two both started off their professional careers 1-0 with a knockout and decision victory in Mexico City during 2022.
This time out, the boxing twins are eager to remain undefeated and make quick work of their opponents.
“We see a guy hurt, we’re gonna go for the kill, first or second round knockout,” Jimmy said.
The Flash Bros have had an extended time away from the professional ring to grow their business as well as train fellow boxers at their personal gym in Mississauga, Flash Bros Boxing & Fitness.
With May 16 set as the date for their return, the brothers say they’re ready for an active year, with plans to fight again on June 24, and a professional debut in Toronto.
Jimmy and Janu Sandhu posing infront of their billboard in downtown Toronto. This was the promotion for their professional boxing debuts in early 2022. Photo credit: Flash Bros Boxing
The brothers first stepped foot in a boxing gym at the age of 10, with their mother’s intentions of getting them in shape and fighting in a safe space.
What started off as leisure became a serious matter for the twins, and they eventually developed as skilled boxers.
“We were chubby kids who went from going to the gym everyday and getting beat up to beating the guys up who used to beat on us,” Jimmy said.
They may have spent countless hours in the gym, but Janu said that their hard work is not the only factor which drove them this far.
“It’s all about consistency and continuing to practice the same loops over and over again with repetition. But there is a certain aspect of talent there, almost like skill that you can be born with, and that’s something you can’t really teach.”
Janu Sandhu getting his left hand wrapped up by his trainer. Janu said he is confident the twins will leave Colombia with their arm's raised. Photo credit: Flash Bros Boxing
They also attribute their success to each other and they say that Flash Bros will always be a two package deal, stating that they couldn’t achieve a professional career if they were not together.
“The whole thing behind it is that we’re twin brothers and you know, unlike a lot of siblings that aren’t as close, we do everything together,” Janu said. “Boxing is a very lonely sport, but thankfully we have each other to continue to push one another.”
Although the two have shined in their community, it was not the easiest of journeys.
Before they became the Flash Bros, Janu said that they faced severe financial hardships as a family, but they forced themselves to adapt to their conditions.
On many occasions throughout their journey, something as simple as a gym membership was not within their budget, so they had to do much of their training outdoors and only spar with each other.
“If you have a dream you just gotta deal with what you have, you can’t have a testimony without a test,” Janu said
The 26-year-old’s have become an inspiration in their community, becoming the first twin Punjabi professional boxers.
The Flash Bros said many people in the GTA’s thriving Punjabi population reach out daily on social media with motivating messages.
“That alone motivates us to continue because we are getting to a point where we’re making some noise in the city. We’re going to continue to do so and with the support there within our community, I feel like we’re unstoppable to be honest,” Janu said.
Jimmy Sandhu landing a straight right jab during his professional boxing debut in Mexico City. Jimmy reigned victorious via knockout. Photo credit: Flash Bros Boxing
Jimmy said that being an inspiration to their community is not only something that can be achieved in the boxing ring.
Now that they’re able to support others, they organize food drives within their gym and make monthly visits to donate to Canadian Food for Children.
“The flash was kind of a movement that shows that anywhere that we need to be we try to be there in a flash,” Janu said. Winning fights is one thing but it’s one of what you do outside the ring that really counts,” Jimmy added.
With the unique background they come from, the Flash bros said that if others want to follow suit, it’s crucial they understand the life that comes with boxing.
“There are sacrifices you have to put in. The late night runs you go on or the parties you missed out on. Jimmy and I have never smoked or drank in our lives, boxing has kept us on a straight path,” Janu said.
As they begin their gruelling training camp ahead of May 16, the twins do not have a set name to face them in the ring, but the contract is signed and they will very likely be facing local Colombian boxers on their own turf.
They began their professional journey on the road and they’ll continue down south with intentions to further grow their reputations as legitimate boxers.
The Flash Bros said that they would like to eventually franchise their gym in other cities and countries, but the ultimate goal is to be a voice and glove of inspiration.
“I know there’s other kids out there that have a dream like ours to one day win a world title. So hopefully we could be the first to do it and motivate the youth,” Jimmy said.