Super-heavyweight kick-boxer Badr Hari has vowed to delight his legion of fans when he takes to the ring on Thursday night at the Dubai World Trade Centre in the first Global Fighting Championship (G.F.C.).
The 29-year-old boasts an incredible record of 102 wins and just 12 losses, and is renowned for his ability to finish a fight early. In fact 88 of his victories have come inside the distance.
Hari is now looking to notch up two more victories as he bids to win the four-man G.F.C. tournament that sees the eventual champion walk away with Dhm1 million.
Standing in his way in the first semi-final match-up is a man he knows well, Stefan Leko. The 39-year-old German was the first man to knockout Hari in the first round of a K-1 event back in 2005.
However, Hari gained revenge later that year by delivering a brutal spinning back-kick to Leko’s jaw and he believes he will once again have the upper hand come Thursday night.
“There are some good fighters but I don’t think a guy who is nearly 40 can compete with a 30-year-old who is at his peak,” Hari told Sport360° when discussing his fight with Leko.
“I am always confident so expect nothing short of a KO.”
The Dutch-born fighter, who is of Moroccan heritage, is also excited at the prospect of fighting in a Muslim country for the very first time
“It’s like a hometown fight for me,” stated Hari. “I feel very comfortable here as I am used to the culture and have been going to pray on a Friday. With Ramadan fast approaching I couldn’t schedule a fight in the coming months so this tournament is perfect.”
The former K-1 heavyweight champion also believes that such a huge show in Dubai can only be good for promoting the sport within the region, and encouraging more children to exercise regularly.
“These kind of big shows will always promote combat sports but equally as important it promotes activity. It’s very important for the youth of today to start training because kids are getting on the fat side and don’t train enough,” he added.
“They have playstations and computers and they are becoming very lazy so I hope this prompts kids to become more active.”
He may be known as ‘The Bad Boy’ for his somewhat unsporting behavior both in and out of the ring, but it is clear Hari is passionate about his sport and is keen to inspire the next generation.
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