The heavyweight contest, held on July 10, attracted global attention as Hager entered the event with an unbeaten record in combat sports outside professional wrestling. However, the bout ended dramatically when Amanpreet landed a powerful third-round slap that knocked the American out cold, forcing the referee to stop the contest immediately.

The victory marks a significant moment for the Indian athlete, who is also known to wrestling fans as Mahabali Shera from his time in Impact Wrestling (formerly TNA). Competing on one of Power Slap's biggest stages, Amanpreet remained composed after surviving the opening exchanges before delivering the decisive strike that secured a knockout victory.

Hager had started the contest confidently and even scored an early knockdown. The former WWE champion appeared in control during the initial rounds and was looking to build on his successful Power Slap debut earlier this year, where he had earned a knockout victory. The momentum, however, shifted as the contest progressed.

In the third round, Amanpreet connected with a thunderous slap that sent Hager crashing to the canvas. The American lay motionless for several moments before receiving medical attention, prompting the referee to wave off the fight. He was eventually helped to his feet, while Amanpreet celebrated one of the biggest victories of his combat sports career.

The result has generated widespread discussion across combat sports and professional wrestling circles because Hager had entered Power Slap after an accomplished career in multiple disciplines.

Known globally as Jack Swagger during his WWE tenure, Hager captured the World Heavyweight Championship in 2010 before later competing in Bellator MMA, where he remained unbeaten. Earlier this year, he signed a multi-fight agreement with Dana White's Power Slap promotion and made an impressive debut with a knockout victory. His defeat against Amanpreet represents the first knockout loss of his combat sports career.

For Amanpreet Singh, the win is another milestone in a sporting journey that has taken him from professional wrestling to slap fighting. The Punjab-born athlete has represented India in international wrestling promotions and has now earned global recognition in Power Slap with a victory over one of the sport's highest-profile competitors.

Videos of the knockout quickly went viral across social media, with fans and combat sports followers praising Amanpreet's finishing strike. The clip has been widely shared since the event, making it one of the standout moments from Power Slap 21.

The victory could significantly boost Amanpreet's standing in the promotion as Power Slap continues to expand its international roster. While officials are yet to announce his next opponent, defeating a former WWE world champion has undoubtedly strengthened his credentials and increased his profile among global combat sports audiences.

The development comes after Lakra accused Hockey India officials of harassment and intimidation while pursuing action in a separate sexual harassment case involving a coach associated with a hockey academy in Ranchi. The ministry's intervention has brought the issue under national scrutiny, with concerns being raised about athlete welfare and the handling of complaints within sports bodies.

According to the allegations, Lakra claimed that she was being targeted after supporting complaints related to alleged sexual misconduct by coach Sudhir Gola. She also accused Hockey India General Secretary Bhola Nath Singh of protecting those responsible and attempting to silence individuals who raised concerns about the matter.

The allegations have emerged at a time when sports federations are under increasing pressure to ensure transparent grievance redressal mechanisms and provide a safe environment for athletes, particularly women players.

The complaint has not been raised by Lakra alone. Reports indicate that 31 women hockey players from Jharkhand have also submitted a written representation supporting concerns related to the issue. Their complaints have been formally forwarded for examination, adding further weight to the matter.

Following the intervention of the Sports Ministry, Hockey India has been asked to conduct a thorough inquiry and furnish its findings. Officials familiar with the development said the ministry wants a prompt assessment of the allegations and the actions taken by the federation so far.

The matter has been referred to Hockey India's Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), which is responsible for examining allegations related to harassment and workplace misconduct. The committee is expected to review the complaints, gather statements from those involved and submit its recommendations based on the evidence presented.

Lakra is regarded as one of India's most respected hockey players. A former captain of the national women's team, she represented the country at major international tournaments and later remained associated with the development of the sport at the grassroots level. Her allegations have therefore attracted significant attention within the Indian hockey community.

The controversy originates from accusations against coach Sudhir Gola, who has been accused of sexual harassment by players linked to a hockey academy in Ranchi. As demands for action against the coach intensified, the dispute expanded into a broader confrontation involving administrators, former players and athletes associated with the academy.

Neither the Sports Ministry nor Hockey India has publicly disclosed a timeline for completion of the inquiry. However, the ministry's decision to step in signals the seriousness with which the allegations are being viewed.

The outcome of the investigation could have wider implications for governance standards within Indian sports federations. Athlete safety, accountability and the effectiveness of internal complaint mechanisms have become increasingly important issues in recent years, prompting calls for stronger oversight and greater transparency.

For now, attention remains focused on the inquiry process and the findings that emerge from Hockey India's Internal Complaints Committee. Further action, if any, is expected to depend on the conclusions reached during the investigation and the report submitted to the Sports Ministry.

FIFA revenue hit at lead
FIFA is likely to get significantly lower returns from the sale of India TV rights for the 2026 World Cup after major broadcasters scaled back bids, according to industry sources and documents reviewed by Reuters and other outlets. The drop comes as media houses weigh the late-night, early-morning broadcast window for matches in North America and reassess advertising prospects.

Bidders thin out
Initial demands from FIFA reportedly sought about $100 million (roughly ₹955 crore) for a bundled television and streaming package for India, then later fell to a floor of around $60 million (₹573 crore). Sources familiar with broadcaster negotiations said offers on the table ended up near $20 million (about ₹191 crore) before bidders withdrew. JioStar — a large media group — exited the race after a final offer, leaving Zee Entertainment Enterprises as the principal bidder currently engaged in talks.

Why offers dropped
Media analysts said the time-zone mismatch is the primary deterrent. Matches hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico will often kick off in the early hours in India, undermining live viewership figures and reducing the appeal of peak-time ad inventory. “Late-night fixtures translate to lower real-time audiences and muted ad revenue, which directly hits the valuation,” an industry analyst familiar with the talks said on condition of anonymity.

Zee's strategy
Zee has indicated interest in using the tournament to expand its sports footprint and is planning new sports channels under the brand ‘Unite8 Sports’, according to people briefed on the matter. Industry executives said Zee is seeking a deal at a much lower price than FIFA’s initial expectations, aiming for a package that leaves room for subscription and digital monetisation given the time-shifted viewing behaviour.

Broadcasting context
In 2022, Viacom18 — now a Reliance-Disney joint venture — paid about $62 million (around ₹592 crore) for Indian broadcasting rights and streamed matches on Sports18 and JioCinema. The sharp softening of bids this cycle could mean FIFA receives roughly one-third of that amount, industry figures estimate, although final numbers will depend on whether Zee closes a deal and on the exact scope of rights (TV, streaming, highlights, sublicensing).

Ticketing row complicates optics
The rights debate comes amid wider controversy surrounding FIFA’s ticketing for the 2026 World Cup. Investigations by US state authorities, including in New York and California, were reported after fans and consumer groups accused FIFA of using dynamic pricing and creating a new “Front Category” that allegedly displaced early buyers. Ticket prices have soared — the cheapest public tickets start around $120 (about ₹11,460) while best-category final match seats climbed to as high as $10,990 (about ₹10.49 lakh) after dynamic pricing adjustments. The ticketing uproar has cast a shadow over FIFA’s wider commercial approach to the tournament.

Impact on viewers and advertisers
For Indian broadcasters and advertisers, the calculus is changing. Brands typically pay premiums for live events that guarantee mass, appointment viewing. With matches airing at inconvenient hours, advertisers may demand steep discounts or opt for targeted digital buys instead. That in turn reduces the pool of revenue a broadcaster can recoup, pressuring bid prices downward.

What’s next
Negotiations between FIFA and Zee were ongoing at the time of filing. If Zee signs a low-cost deal, FIFA’s India take will shrink markedly compared with 2022, forcing the governing body to rely more on other markets to meet revenue forecasts. Media houses are also weighing sublicensing or time-shifted streaming packages as backup monetisation strategies.

Broader significance
A reduced payout from India — one of the world’s largest football markets by viewership potential — would be notable for global sports rights trends, signalling how time zones and changing consumption patterns are reshaping the economics of mega-events.