Abu Dhabi: Nigeria’s Sebizour Ekilee entered the ring hoping for a stiff challenge against Abdullah Mubarak of Fujairah in the Super Heavy weight title clash but the contest turned out to be a lacklustre one.
In less than a minute, Mubarak after doing a circle of the ring forfeited his contest to the dismay of spectators, without even flexing his muscles.
In a country smitten by Jiu Jitsu, boxing has undeniably taken a back seat and is struggling to stay afloat. Lack of zeal, technique and competitive spirit came to the fore at the UAE Elite Men’s Open Boxing Championship that concluded at the Exhibition Centre on Friday.
“He was not there to fight and that’s what I was saying after seeing all the previous contests. They all don’t train as they should be doing. It was a final and he was no match,” said Ekilee, shaking his head in disgust.
Ekilee, a national level boxer, took part in the contest merely by default.
“I read about this tournament and thought I should put myself back to test. However, very little did I know that these bouts would be one-sided. I feel most of them lack technique,” felt Ekilee, who works with a catering company in the capital.
“It is too risky to box against these guys as their body is not ready. If your body is not fit enough to take those punches, it can do permanent damage. Coming straight into an open competition without any proper training is a huge risk,” warned Ekilee.
Not just the Super Heavy weight but the Heavy weight contest was also a complete mismatch. Mohammad Al Shamsi handed over the title to Slovakia’s Alexander Sabo without packing a single punch within minutes in the first round.
UAE’s top boxer Ebrahim Al Zaabi was also among the few national level boxers who made it to the finals in the 75kg Middle Weight but he too had to pull out at the last minute with an injury. However, Saab Mezar, gave something to cheer to the locals. He, who bagged a bronze at the Arab Cup last year in Algeria, was on counts in the second round but rallied to beat his countryman Sultan Al Zaabi in the Fly Weight 52kg category.
“It was tough for me but he got some penalties later and that helped me make a comeback. There is interest in boxing but very less competition so we need more tournaments,” asserted Mezar.
Semi-finalist in the 60kg Light Weight category Hadi Omar of Al Nasr Club was very vocal about UAE Boxing’s poor state of affairs, saying, “Boxing Federation needs to do more. They have to do what Jiu Jitsu is doing and take the sport to the grass-root level. We have a shortage of boxers and we have to increase that,” said Omar, who also practises MMA and is a blue belt in Jiu Jitsu.
“This is an Olympic game and that means it should be given a lot of attention. We need some representation at the world stage. Jiu Jitsu has overshadowed other combat sports but we cannot neglect this sport. We need to have a program like we have for Jiu Jitsu in Boxing,” said Omar adding that, taking the sport to the school and college level would be a big plus.
“Now the clubs sponsor us to do well. Boxing federation is good but need more improvement and get in more sponsors. Now our Rulers give all the support for sports. Sports is now not just a pastime it is serious business. So more has to be done to improve boxing. We need full time boxers if you want to get a world champion,” said Omar, who is serving the National Services and has a Masters in Sports Management.
Results All Finals: Light Weight 46-49kg: Ahmad Saeed beat Abudullah Al Mola 2-1, Fly Weight 52kg: Saab Mezar beat Sultan Al Zaabi 3-0, Bantam 56kg: Karam Al Majali beat Shehab Al Dhabari 2-0, Light Weight 60kg: Ahmad Mohsen beat Ali Al Hammadi 3-0, Light Welter 64kg: Abdullah Al Hajeri lost to Lusuan Gabreil 3-0, Middle 75kg: Ibraheem Al Zaabi lost to Kareem Kamel walk over, Light Heavy 81kg: Omar Al Dhari lost to Paulo Silva TKO R1, Heavy Weight 91kg: Mohammed Al Shamsi lost to Alexander Sabo TKO R1, Super Heavy +91kg: Sebizour Ekilee beat Abdullah Mubarak TKO R1.
