Organisers aim to build on the modest but encouraging success of the first professional boxing event in Abu Dhabi – Thursday Night Fights at Yas Island – by concentrating on the three stars of the night.
British heavyweight, and Mike Tyson conqueror, Danny Williams was the household name on the fight card but promoters Lion Heart see the future of the event in welterwight Nasser Al Harbi and Iranian duo Mohammad Ali Bayat and Mohammad Reza.
Al Harbi beat Georgian Giorgi Unigadze via a unanimous decision, Al Bayat forced a fifth round stoppage of Abdul Kabbani while the performance of the night saw Reza knock out Morocco’s Hakim Wahid.
Although senior executive Edward Mendy admits there were teething problems, he is confident boxing can have a following in the capital, with the next show pencilled in for late February next year.
Mendy said: “We’re very satisfied. We had some problems but on the whole we feel it was an accomplishment. We perhaps didn’t get the ticket sales we wanted but it’s about creating something and this is only the first of four events.
“Mohammad Reza was just amazing, such a talented kid and we’re definitely trying to bring him back for February.
“Reza, Al Harbi and Ali Bayat were the most exciting fights of the night and that’s what we need moving forward. It’s about giving fight fans quality and showcasing talent.”
February’s event will also come with a ‘star name’ but Mendy admits former heavyweight world champion Hasim Rahman is unlikely.
The American, who beat Lennox Lewis in 2001, was in the crowd at Yas on Thursday but after talks were held on Friday, the 41-year-old has been advised to concentrate on his business interest.
Although the UAE has a strong fanbase for combat sport, boxing has been a little slow to catch up with the passion for MMA.
Mendy remains confident the noble art has a strong future in the Emirates, but admits it needs local support.
He said: “We of course would love to see more local fans at the next fight night. It’s about getting the word out there.
“We’d like to think we put on a quality night of boxing that will only get better. And it’s the quality that will get fans through the door.”
RESULTS
Danny Williams (GBR ) beat Mazur Ali (EGY) – TKO, sixth round
Nasser Al Harbi (GBR ) beat Giorgi Unigadze (GEO) – UD
Mohammad Ali Bayat (IRI) beat Abdul Kabbani (SYR) – TKO, fifth round
Stjepan Bozic (CRO) beat Paata Vardaushvili (GEO) – KO, fifth round
Mohammad Reza (IRI) beat Hakim Wahi (MOR) –KO, third round
Rabid Fayad (LIB) beat Moubaker Masrar (MOR) – KO, third round
Hamza Bouaoud (FRA) beat Mahdi Ramizani (IRI) – UD
Ahmed Al Ali (UAE) beat Abbas Mohamed (EGY) – disqualification, third round
