Sport | Other Sports
‘The beast' looks to keep his unbeaten streak going
It may be seen by some as a proxy for a US vs Iran war, but boxing fans here can expect to see power-packed action from both countries' leading champs
- By Jay Hilotin, Senior reporter, XPRESS
- Published: 00:00 February 2, 2012
- Image Credit: Supplied
- American Bob Sapp is undefeated in 23 fights
DUBAI: It may be seen by some as a proxy for a US vs Iran war, but boxing fans here can expect to see power-packed action from both countries' leading champs at the Dubai International Boxing Championship (DIBC) 2012 on Thursday night at The Aviation Club.
America's Bob "The Beast" Sapp, with his unbeaten record of 21-23-0, will face off Tofan Pirane, a six-foot-one mixed martial artist from Sweden, who is originally Iranian. Tofan has won 54 out of his 69 fights. The event will feature a variety of martial arts -- including Thai boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts.
"This event is without a doubt the biggest fight night in Dubai so far," said Prince Amir Shafiy Pour, a former three-time world kickboxing title-holder and head instructor of Dubai's The Champions Club, who is also involved in organising the Dubai event.
The Dubai thriller will see 10 matches involving fighters from the UAE, Italy, Sweden, France, Iran, Turkmenistan, Egypt, Uzbekistan, Syria and the Philippines.
One of the night's highlights is the fight between UAE fighter Eisa "Arabian Warrior" Al Dah (with a 6-2 win record) and Mexican boxer Miguel Angel Mungia (W21, L22, D1). "Eisa is coming on pretty well and he will be looking at a regional title," said Jessie Robinson, CEO of EMD Sports Services, the event's main organisers.
In the female division, Swedish Mikaela "Destiny" Laurén (13W, 4KO, 1L, 0 draw), winner of the World Professional Boxing Federation title in the welterweight class, will be the centre of attraction, as she fights Chantal Ughi, the three-time Thai Kick Boxing Female World Champion (42 Fights 30 W 12 L 12 W by KO).
The annual event in Dubai has started to gain traction," he said.
"Each year, we bring the boxing excitement to another level," added Robinson. "We're looking forward to having bigger names and world-title fights in the future to be staged in Dubai."
"Boxing has a great future in Dubai. We will give boxing fans a variety of entertaining on this fight night," said Robinson.
The event is being organised by the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), is in aid of the Dubai Autism Centre.
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