- The region’s best grassroots boxers will return to the UAE capital on March 2
DUBAI: Rising Stars Arabia, the premier grassroots boxing promotion in the Middle East, returns to Abu Dhabi on March 2, featuring several fighters on the cusp of world recognition.
The event marks the third instalment of the series, following two sold-out spectacles in the UAE capital.
The card will take place at Yas Links Golf Club and will include fighters from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt and the UAE.
Founder and promoter Ahmed Seddiqi outlined the reasons for the success of the promotion.
“What we have learned is to give chances and opportunities to the boxers from the region, it’s an important factor,” he said.
One fighter to benefit from this approach has been Morocco’s Moussa Gholam, who, after a year-long hiatus, returned to the ring at the last event to secure an impressive victory over South Africa’s Lunga Sitemela, propelling him into the top-10 rankings of several regional organizations.
Seddiqi emphasized the fiercely competitive nature of the fights. “We’ve been putting on all tough, 50-50 fights. The fighters have been working hard because it is a platform that they need to prove themselves in.”
He also highlighted the presence of Emirati fighters including Sultan Alnuaimi, Fahad Al-Bloushi and Fahad Khouri, who are set to feature prominently on the undercard.
Alnuaimi, in particular, has been receiving significant attention, even earning coverage in the prestigious Ring magazine.
“He could be the best fighter in the Middle East or GCC here at the moment,” Seddiqi said.
For the undefeated Alnuaimi, the promotion has provided a platform to grow his talent, and he recalled his first fight in the series, which saw him dropped, only to rally and win a decision.
“Getting knocked down in the first round and then getting up; flipping the scorecards into my favor, really made me proud of myself,” he said.
“I figured out that there is a lot in me that I still haven’t seen or discovered in myself in boxing.”
Eager to showcase his evolution as a fighter, Alnuaimi is determined to make his latest homecoming bout one to remember.
“Let’s hope in the future I can learn a lot and I can even perform 100 times better,” he said. “My plan is to win in style for the next fight.”
Will Harris, a famed combat-sports filmmaker noted for his popular channel “Anatomy of a Fighter,” will be on hand to make a documentary of the event.
With his videos of the previous Rising Stars events racking up hundreds of thousands of YouTube views, Harris said: “That’s a testament to the fan base that I have, and the eyeballs on the event.”
He also highlighted the collaborative energies of the event, with local businesses and departments working with international outlets to drive the momentum of the event.
“I think Seddiqi Sports and Abu Dhabi DCT have been a match made in heaven in terms of collaborating with this,” said Harris. “I feel like the support is there and the support has been there for me and I’m excited to continue with the storytelling.”
“I am very honored to have had my hand in telling part of the story when it comes to Rising Stars Arabia. I’m very blessed that the Department of Culture and Tourism chose me to be the storyteller for this.”
Harris says he is optimistic about the future of the Rising Stars series.
“I just think it’s gonna get bigger and bigger as the region starts to see some of these fighters continue to get better and better. Hopefully I’m going to see these guys win a belt one day.”
