ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (September 10, 2023) –Rising Jordanian lightweight Bader “The Master” Samreen (9-0, 8 KOs) made a loud statement in last night’s main event against veteran Jose “Cuate” Paez Gonzales (16-3-2, 12 KOs) in the inaugural event in the Rising Stars Arabia (RSA) series, the first of its kind in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The milestone event, sanctioned by the Middle East Professional Boxing Commission,
was promoted by AAM Seddiqi Sports and sponsored by the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).
The first professional boxer from Jordan, Samreen was a solid amateur boxer, highlighted by his bronze medal at the prestigious 2018 AIBA Youth World Championships, but he moved his base to Dubai when he turned pro because Jordan didn’t have proper boxing facilities for professionals.
The 23-year-old Samreen took full advantage of the opportunity to fight in the main event on a card, when Moussa Gholam suffered an injury during training camp that prevented him from headlining the RSA card that was streamed live on DAZN from Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Arena.
Samreen won the first four rounds versus Gonzales, who had lost only once in his previous 13 fights, whenl he closed the show with a technical knockout midway through round five.
In the co-featured event, local favorite Sultan Al Nuaimi (10-0, 6 KOs) made the most of his first 10-round bout, taking a convincing 10-round decision from super flyweight Jemsi Kibazange (19-4, 5 KOs). Al Nuaimi overcame an opening-round knockdown, closing the show by taking control in the final four rounds.
The beat continued for undefeated cruiserweight Mohammed “The Destroyer” Bekhash (26-0, 23 KOs), who lived up to his nickname, extending his win streak to 26 with his 23rd knockout against Musa “Hitman” Ntege (8-5, 6 KOs). A native of Syria who fights out of Germany, Bekhash won his 14th straight fight by stoppage.
Undefeated Jordanian Bishara Sabbar (7-0, 4 KOs) captured the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth Silver World super featherweight title with an impressive eight-round unanimous decision over dangerous Mohd Azahar (8-6-1, 7 KOs).
The local boxing commission overruled an apparent first -round stoppage of welterweight Sheldon Schultz (pro debut) by Egyptian Olympian Marwan Mohamad Madboly (2-0, 1 KO) near the end of round one. Madboly dropped Schultz but the commission declared the outcome a no contest, because Madboly unintentiallyunintentionally punched Schultz when he was down on the canvas.
Another Egyptian Olympian, Yousef Karrar (2-0, 1 KO), registered his first knockout as a professional boxer, when heavyweight Muhammad Muzeei (0-1) was unable to continue after two rounds.
Iranian welterweight Benyamin Moradzadeh (1-0) turned in an auspicious pro debut, taking a dominant six-round unanimous decision from previously unbeaten Rohit Choudhary (4-1-2, 0 KOs).
Yousuf Ali (3-0, 0 KOs), of Bahrain, defeated featherweight Semugenyi Alex (0-2) by way of a four-round unanimous decision.
UAB middleweight Fahad Al Koori (2-0, 2 KOs) opened the show with a technical knockout win over Ibrahime Junior Lubege (0-2) midway through the opening round.
Complete results below:
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OFFICIAL RESULTS
MAIN EVENT – LIGHTWEIGHTS
Bader Samreen (9-0, 8 KOs), Jordan
WTKO5 (1:37)
Jose Paez Gonzales (16-3-2, 12 KOs), México
CO-FEATURE – SUPER FLYWEIGHTS
Sultan Al Nuaimi (10-0, 6 KOs), United Arab Emirates
WDEC10 96-93, 96-93, 96-93)
Jemsi Kibzzange (18-4, 5 KOs), Tanzania
WBC YOUTH SILVER WORLD SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Bishara Sabbar (7-0, 4 KOs), Jordan
WDEC8 (79-73, 79-73, 78-74)
Mohd Zaahar (8-6-1, 7 KOs), India
(Sabbar won the WBC Youth Silver World title)
HEAVYWEIGHTS
Yousef Karrar (2-0, 1 KO), Egypt
WTKO2 (3:00)
Muhammad Muzeei (0-1), Uganda
CRUISERWEIGHTS
Mohammad Bekdash (26-0, 23 KOs), Germany by way of Syria
WTKO1 (1:38)
Musa Ntege (8-5, 6 KOs), Uganda
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Fahad Al Koori (2-0, 2 KOs), United Arab Emirates
WTKO1 (1:54)
Ibrahime Junior Lubege (0-2), Uganda
WELTERWEIGHTS
Marwan Mohamad Madboly (2-0, 1 KO, 1 NC), Egypt
No Contest
Sheldon Schultz (4-4, 4 KOs, 1 NC), South Africa
Benyamin Moradzadeh (1-0, 0 KOs), Iran
WDEC6 (50-54, 60-54, 59-55)
Rohit Choudhary (4-1-2, 0 KOs), India
FEATHERWEIGHTS
Yousuf Ali (3-0, 0 KOs), Bahrain
WDEC4 (40-36, 40-36, 39-37)
Semugenyi Junior Libege (0-2), Uganda
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About Rising Stars Arabia
Presenting Rising Stars Arabia (RSA) – a fighting series promoted by AAM Seddiqi Sports and powered by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). This marks a notable debut within the UAE and the wider MENA region. This platform, humble in its intentions yet ambitious in its scope, provides aspiring Arab athletes with a unique opportunity to showcase their talents before regional and international audiences.
This significant initiative, grounded in the values of nurturing homegrown and regional talent, represents an important leap towards evolving professional boxing within the region. By doing so, it empowers an emerging generation of athletes with genuine opportunities right at their doorstep – eliminating the need to seek participation abroad.
About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage, and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives, and creative thought.
