Stage set for ‘Rising Stars’ as Dubai-based boxers ready to prove mettle

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
 
Dubai-based Hasibullah Ahmadi (12-0, 4 KOs) will lock horns with Rauf Aghayev (31-10, 14 KOs) for the WBC Asian featherweight title at the spectacular 'Rising Stars' event at the Conrad Hotel in Dubai on Friday.

Afghanistan boxing hero Ahmadi is excited about the clash.

"I would like to thank my team Round 10 Boxing and D4G Promotions for this opportunity. I started my career here in Dubai and now I'm fighting for the first title in my career,” Ahmadi.

"I'm excited and this is very big for my country and for myself, soon we will fight for the world title here in Dubai. I've seen clips of my opponent. He has a lot of experience, but I will get the win,” he added.

In another exciting clash, Apichet Petchmanee (9-0, 2 KOs) and Phumiritdet Chonlathondamrongkun (7-0, 7 KOs) will meet for the WBC Asia lightweight title.

Several proud Dubai residents will compete on the bill too, as Faizan Anwar (7-0, 4 KOs) goes up against Ricky Sismundo (35-15-3, 17 KOs), Bader Samreen (2-0, 2 KOs) takes on Sharobiddin Jurakhonov (2-3-1, 2 KOs), and Sultan Al Nuaimi (3-0, 2 KOs) shares the ring with Mishiko Shubitdze (17-18-3, 8 KOs). Khurshid Tojibayev (4-0, 2 KOs) rounds up the main card, as he faces Achiko Odizadze (22-17-1, 8 KOs)

Speaking during a press conference promoter Ahmed A Seddiqi said: "This is a big event for us here in Dubai. Unfortunately we lost a couple of fights, but everything happens for a reason. This is Dubai's Rising Stars, and 90% of the fighters on this card are Dubai-based.

"We've been working for many years on the promotion. We have a mix of regional titles, world titles, and the goal is to have a local UAE-based fighter fighting for a world title. That's the dream. It takes time and hopefully that will come.

"This is a very big achievement for Dubai boxing to have an event live in the USA on ESPN+. We have two great title fights and we're really excited."

The event is promoted by Ahmed A Seddiqi for D4G Promotions, and is sponsored by Hublot, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons and Kinetik.

The event will be broadcast in the US on ESPN+, in Latin America on ESPN Knockout, and on IFL TV for the rest of the world.

On the undercard, Jamie King (1-0, 1 KO) fights Taryel Jafarov (7-2, 6 KOs), Ryan Aston (20-5-2, 8 KOs) squares off with Shalva Guchmazovi (3-6-2, 2 KOs), and Fahad Al Bloushi (4-1, 1 KO) meets Medi Miro (0-1).