Ahmadi wins WBC Asia featherweight title as Bloushi and Nuaimi steal show

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Afghanistan’s Hasibullah Ahmadi won the WBC Asia featherweight title with a unanimous decision over Rauf Aghayev as the UAE-based boxers stole the show at ‘Rising Stars’ which took place at the Conrad Hotel in Dubai on Friday.

The exciting card featured four sensational fights. UAE’s Fahad Al Bloushi and Sultan Al Nuaimi made light work of their opponents.

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

It proved to be yet another night to remember, with Ahmadi lifting his first career title, while Apichet Petchmanee retained his WBC Asia lightweight crown.

There were also wins for the likes of Faizan Anwar, Bader Samreen and Khurshid Tojibaev.

Ahmadi defeated Rauf Aghayev thanks to a unanimous decision after 10 rounds (97-93, 98-94, 99-91) and become a new WBC Asia featherweight champion.

Ahmadi (13-0, 4 KOs) got off to an extremely fast start, and appeared to have Aghayev (31-11, 14 KOs) in trouble during the opening rounds.

Aghayev managed to weather the storm, but Ahmadi continued to dictate proceedings as the fight progressed, with Aghayev doing well to last the distance. It was a straightforward win for Ahmadi, who was awarded the fight 97-93, 98-94 and 99-91 on the scorecards, to win the vacant title.

Ahmadi said: “Thank God for everything, and thanks to D4G for this opportunity. I’m very happy to win the title tonight. My opponent was very tough and experienced so I’m happy to win the fight and make my people proud in Afghanistan. I will now talk to the team and will see how we go from here.”

Thailan’s Petchmanee was able to come out on top in the battle against his countryman, as he defeated Phumiritdet Chonlathondamrongkun by unanimous decision.

Petchmanee (10-0, 2 KOs) was making the fourth defence of his WBC Asia lightweight title having won it back in 2019, while Chonlathondamrongkun (7-1, 7 KOs) was having a big step up in competition, and it was clear he was unable to cope with what Petchmanee had to offer.

It turned out to be a convincing win for the defending champion, who won every round on the scorecards to ensure he kept hold of his title.

Petchmanee said: “I am so happy to be here fighting here in Dubai and representing all of Thailand. I am pleased to get the win, and now I’m looking forward to facing whoever is out there at 135lbs.”

UAE’s Bloushi, famously known as ‘Kid Emirati’, claimed the fifth win of his professional career as he dropped Medi Miiro on his way to a comfortable points win.

Bloushi (5-1, 1 KO) was in total control throughout the fight, and looked like he may have got the stoppage when he sent his opponent down to the canvas, but Miiro was able to get up and see out the fight, with Kid Emirati earning a comfortable win.

Ajman’s Nuaimi ensured it was a quick night’s work as he stopped Mishiko Shubitidze inside the very first round.

Nuaimi (4-0, 3 KOs) was quick out of the traps, with Shubitidze (17-19-3, 8 KOs) unable to cope with the onslaught he was put under.

It meant Nuaimi got the fierce first round knockout, with three of his four professional victories now coming inside the distance.

India’s Anwar had to dig in deep to come out on top as he was pushed all the way by Ricky Sismundo in their six-round battle.

It proved to be the toughest test so far in the career of Anwar (8-0, 4 KOs), with Sismundo (35-16-3, 17 KOs) giving as good as he got throughout the contest.

Anwar had to pull himself up off the canvas to claim the win, with the judges ultimately scoring it in his favour as he extended his unbeaten record.

Anwar said: “I’m very thankful to my team and my coaches. It was a very tough fight and my opponent was experienced. It’s the first time I got knocked down as a professional, and I learned a lot from the fight. I need to build myself more and more. I would like to thank my friends who attended and my family back home and a special thanks to my uncle, because of him I am here.”

Samreen continued the perfect start to his professional career as he claimed a points win over the tough Sharobiddin Jurakhonov.

Samreen (3-0, 2 KOs) has had a fast start to life in the paid ranks, making his debut in March with a second round stoppage win, before following that up with a first round stoppage win in May.

He was unable to get the win inside the distance on this occasion, but managed to bank some valuable rounds as he came out on top after a great contest against Jurakhonov (2-4-1, 2 KOs).

Samreen said: “Thank you all for coming, I appreciate it. This was my first six rounder and I am happy with my performance. It was a good fight, and I didn’t know he would be so tough. I was impressed and he changed my opinion of him. I do this for my family and my friends, and this success for me is for all of you too.”