Sport | Other Sports
Boxing to make a huge impact in Dubai
Hardly have the cheers of the first-ever professional boxing card died down and the promoter is already talking of attracting the best boxers and promoters from around the world.
- By Alaric Gomes, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 March 25, 2007
- Image Credit: Vazhisojan/Gulf News
- Eisa Aldah of the UAE celebrates his knock-out win over Larry Foster (not shown) of the US in the former's first professional bout at the World Trade Centre yesterday.
Dubai: Hardly have the cheers of the first-ever professional boxing card died down and the promoter is already talking of attracting the best boxers and promoters from around the world.
"Don King came here and went away. Oscar de la Hoya came and went, and so did a host of other promoters. But none of them have the courage to take up the challenge and make things happen," Jessie Robinson, President of Jessie Robinson Sports Services told Gulf News.
High risk
"This first fight will change everything. Very soon we will have these same people coming back to Dubai and wanting to stage similar fights," Robinson stated.
"I think what I have taken is the highest risk in boxing. Don King and Oscar de la Hoya did not have the patience and time, but I did," Robinson stated.
"From the time I came to the UAE, I always wanted to do something different. This one has been unique and I want this to be one of many to come in the future," he insisted.
The highlight of the fight card was Miami-based TJ Wilson taking on the challenge from Marcus McGee, while Dubai-born Eisa Aldah - the one-man army who contributed towards the success of the Destiny in the Desert - made his professional debut against Orlando-based Larry Foster. Two other fights saw Sammy Retta take on Carl Handy in the lightweight category, while Kevin Montiy fought Eli Dixon.
"These boxers are not the best, but they are here for a cause. They are here to announce Dubai to the world," Robinson stated.
The promoter, who was once an understudy with the great Don King during the Mike Tyson era, said he would have loved to have Tyson in Dubai. "Maybe he won't be able to fight here, but he will bring in the necessary weightage this event needs," Robinson stated.
Robinson is currently in talks with jewellery maker Damas to make a winner's belt studded with diamonds costing about half a million dollars.
Gottschalk to take the sport forward
Eric Gottschalk of Delwood is hoping to cash in on the attitude of UAE boxer Eisa Aldah to take the sport to the next stage. "It's simply amazing to see Eisa's enthusiasm for everything. He reminds me so much of Shaikh Ahmad [Mohammad Bin Hasher Al Maktoum] the UAE's lone Olympic gold medallist. If Eisa continues the way he is presently doing, it won't be long before we see the UAE with its first fully professional boxer," Gottschalk stated. Delwood Sports is the official co-organiser of The Destiny in the Desert held at the Dubai World Trade Centre last night.
"Eisa is our man. He has made things happen. Damas has come forward and supported him, and we at Delwood will back him all the way through," Gottschalk promised.
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