Abu Dhabi, UAE, December 15, 2013. It is often said that “styles make fights.” The grudge match between 2012 UAE Fighter of the Year Mohammad Ali (3–0) and his nemesis Abdul Kabbani (3-1) features two fighters with styles that are just about as different as one would find anywhere.
Dubai resident Mohammad Ali Bayat is the typical finesse boxer (also “out-fighter,” “pure boxer,” or just “boxer”). As a boxer, Bayat, like his famous namesake, seeks to maintain a gap from his opponents and fights with faster, longer range punches. Boxers like Bayat are known for being extremely quick on their feet. The boxer style often makes up for a lack of power. Since they rely on the weaker jabs and straights (as opposed to hooks and uppercuts), boxers tend to win by points decisions rather than by knockout, although some boxers can be aggressive and effective punchers. Boxers such as Muhammad Ali, Benny Leonard, Gene Tunney, and Larry Holmes have many notable knockouts, but usually preferred to wear down their opponents and outclass them rather than just knock them out. Notable out-boxers include Muhammad Ali, Lou Ambers, Wilfred Benitez, Jack Blackburn, Cecilia Brækhus, Ezzard Charles, Kid Chocolate, Billy Conn, James J. Corbett, George Dixon, Chris Eubank, Tiger Flowers, Mike Gibbons, Tommy Gibbons, Holly Holm, Larry Holmes, Harold Johnson, Jack Johnson, Junior Jones, Benny Leonard, Tommy Loughran, Joey Maxim, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Philadelphia Jack O’Brien, Ken Overlin, Willie Pep, Maxie Rosenbloom, Barney Ross, Gene Tunney, Jersey Joe Walcott, and Pernell Whitaker. It was by out-boxing Kabbani that Bayat was able to win the first meeting between the two fighters on points.
Kabbani, also a Dubai resident, on the other hand is a real brawler and the consummate swarmer. The swarmer (also “crowder,” or “in-fighter”) is a fighter who attempts to overwhelm his opponent by applying constant pressure. Kabbani, like most swarmers, uses a very good bob-and-weave style and constantly moves his head side to side, along with good power, a good chin, and a tremendous punch output (resulting in a great need for stamina and conditioning). The swarmer’s style favors closing inside an opponent, overwhelming them with intensity and punches, usually flurries of hooks and uppercuts. Swarmers tend to be fast on their feet, which can make them very difficult to evade for a slower fighter. They also tend to have a good “chin” because this style usually involves being hit with many jabs before they can maneuver inside where they are more effective. Many swarmers, including Kabbani, are often either shorter fighters or fighters with shorter reaches, especially in the heavier classes, that have to get in close to be effective. Tommy Burns was the shortest Heavyweight champion at 5’7, while Rocky Marciano had the reach at 67-68 inches. However, heavyweight Jack Dempsey (a modern cruiserweight in size) was nearly 6’1 in. tall with a 77 in. reach and an exception to the rule. Famous swarmers include Henry Armstrong, Carmen Basilio, Nigel Benn, Melio Bettina, Tommy Burns, Joe Calzaghe, Julio Cesar Chavez, Steve Collins, Jack Dempsey, Joe Frazier, Gene Fullmer, Kid Gavilan, Harry Greb, Emile Griffith, Fighting Harada, Ricky Hatton, Jake LaMotta, Rocky Marciano, Battling Nelson, Mike Tyson, Bobo Olson, Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Patterson, Aaron Pryor, Tom Sharkey, David Tua, Mickey Walker, Micky Ward, and Jimmy Wilde.
The Bayat-Kabbani rivalry has all of the ingredients of a grudge match, two fighters who clearly do not like each other fighting for home bragging rights. To boot, a close fight to the decision amplifies the rivalry. While Ali won the first fight between the two, it was by a very close decision. Kabbani disputes the end result and thinks that he should have won. On the other hand, Bayat thinks he deserve the win and vehemently objects to any suggestion that the decision was handed to him. Similarly, most people who saw the fight cannot agree on the winner. There was no clear winner and the debate rages to this day as who the real winner was in the first fight. What is undisputed, however, is that Kabanni dominated the early rounds and knocked down Bayat a couple of times while Bayat dominated the later rounds with his finesse and conditioning. It appears that Kabbani as the typical swarmer went for the early knockout and could not sustain the workload. Sustaining the incredible of energy required to execute the swarmer style is very difficult and brawling demands a great amount of training. As a result, a swarmer that is not properly conditioned tends to run out of gas, as is what happened to Kabbani in the first fight between the two. Bayat, who is always in shape got stronger as the round went on. Kabbani does not think there is any possibility of him running out of gas.
If there ever was a grudge match, this is it. And it is for UAE bragging rights. While Bayat is Iranian and Kabbani is Syrian, both are Dubai residents. Bayat is bent on proving that his win was not a fluke. Kabbani is resolved to settle the dispute the only way a swarmer knows how, by knocking Bayat out. As they say, there is no dispute over who is the winner when one Kos one’s opponent.
Both fighters have gentle personalities but get so animated about their opponent that each unusually consumed with rage when teased about the possibility of losing to the other.
Said Kabbani, “I will knock him out Inshallah [God willing]. Our last fight, I was not in good shape and yet I almost knocked him out. I spoke to his girlfriend and she told me that that Bayat was in bed for over a month after the last fight. This time, I will break every bone in his body.”
Said Bayat, “I beat him before. I will beat him again. Just because he has put on more muscles, has been training for months and now has an American trainer will not change anything. He may be ten kilos bigger than me fight night but I will outbox him.” Kabbani will come ten kilos heavier for this fight.
Bayat v. Kabbani should be one for the ages and is one of eight or more exciting bouts that will be featured at the first-ever live professional boxing competition being held in Abu Dhabi–Thursday Night Fights @ Yas Island, a version of the acclaimed Thursday Night Fights series that will be held on Thursday, December 19, 2013 at the 5,000-capacity du Forum, located on Yas Island.
About Lion Heart Boxing Promotions (the Promoter)
Lion Heart Boxing Productions is global Boxing Promoter and Sports Entertainment Company based in the U.S. The company was set up in 2001 for the sole purpose of providing top quality events with highest entertainment value and has promoted boxing events on four continents (North America, Oceania, Africa and Asia. The Company quickly earned a reputation as a producer of high quality fights and is well respected for its fair treatment of fighters and commitment to fighters’ rights.
Art Media FZ LLA, a company owned by the pioneer of fights in the UAE and one of the top UAE promoter (Valdimir Burdun), will serve as Lion Heart Boxing Productions’ local UAE partner and co-promoter.
About Thursday Night Fights
Thursday Night Fights is proven as the oldest continuous live professional boxing series with its genesis in the USA. The fight series was started by Jim Patton in 1988 and Lion Heart Boxing Productions has been promoting a version of Thursday Night Fights since 2001. Each year, from October to April, Thursday Night Fights produces 24 to 26 boxing shows with the highest entertainment at the Egan Center in Anchorage, Alaska with sellout crowds. While Thursday Night Fights shows have been promoted in other cities, Thursday Night Fights’ long and uninterrupted production streak in Alaska dating to 1988 makes Thursday Night Fights the longest continuous boxing series in history. Part of Thursday Night Fights already can be seen on national TV in the USA as The Alaskan Brawlers Reality Show, which debut January 9, 2013 on US cable network TruTV. Thursday Night Fights @ Yas Island is the UAE version of Thursday Night Fights and will be produced in association with Art Media.
About Yas Island
The MENA region’s prime leisure and entertainment destination, Yas Island is one of the finest destinations for weekend getaways, romantic holidays and family fun. Be wowed by the amazing events and touring artists gracing the stage at du Forum and du Arena. Live the ultimate water adventure at Yas Waterworld. Dare to ride Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest roller coaster, at speeds up to 240kmph at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, also the world’s largest indoor theme park. Take in sensational sea views on Yas Links Golf Course. Imagine driving a Formula Yas 3000 or Aston Martin GT4 on the same circuit as the pros. Stroll along the calm turquoise waters at Yas Marina or simply lounge on the warm, idyllic sands of Yas Beach.
Home to the world famous Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Island offers seven hotels (from affordable to luxury), all hosting numerous restaurants and eateries alike. Located just 25 minutes from Abu Dhabi, a jewel of the desert with picturesque mangrove-fringed islands, clear waters and eternal sunshine and only 45 minutes from the buzzing city of Dubai, guests will discover worlds within worlds as they explore the various charms Yas Island has to offer. Find out more about Yas Island by visiting www.Yasisland.ae
Contact Information
For information about Thursday Night Fights @ Yas Island, please contact Thursday Night Fights @ Yas Island Event Coordinator Quincy Taylor at +971-55-747-0914 or email him at muziksun50@yahoo.com.
For more information about Lion Heart Boxing Productions, Ltd., Thursday Night Fights @ Yas Island, or the Thursday Night Fights series, please call Edward B. Mendy, Chief Financial Officer, at (973) 317-6050 (USA) or +971-55-303-1016 (UAE). Also, you may write to him at ebmendy@gmail.com, ebmendy@LionHeartBoxingProductions.com or 480 Laurel Lane, Kinnelon, NJ 07405.
For print stories, JPEG photos of the fighters and events are available upon request by calling Serda Anderson, Vice President, Public Relations at (504) 628-7866 or write to her at 3634 Coliseum Street, New Orleans, LA 70115.
Please visit our websites: www.yasislandfights.com or www.LionHeartBoxingProductions.com.