ABU DHABI (May 26, 2024) – Rapidly developing Arab boxing was on full display in last night’s fourth edition of the popular “Rising Stars Arabia (RSA) series, at Space 42 Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

“Rising Stars Arabia 4” was promoted by AAM Seddiqi Sports and hosted in Abu Dhabi in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.

The RSA series is the first of its kind in terms of showcasing the exciting potential of the United Arab Emirates, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) as emerging boxing hubs, and sanctioned by the Middle East Professional Boxing Commission, headed by Jose Mohen.

Jordanian lightweight Bader “The Master” Al-Dherat (11-0, 8 KOs) edged Orlando Mosquera (13-3-1, 2 KOs) by way of a 10-round split decision in the main event to keep his undefeated pro record intact. The first pro boxer from his native Jordan, the 23-year-old Al-Dherat faced the stiffest test of his young career versus Mosquera, the former International Boxing Federation (IBF), who had won 10 of his previous 12 fights with one draw.

Al-Dherat vs. Mosquera was one of four matches streamed live on DAZN.

Moroccan super featherweight Moussa Gholam (22-1, 13 KOs) continued his march back into the top 15 world rankings with an impressive performance, a 10-round unanimous decision over  previously unbeaten Lingjie Xia (9-1-2, 2 KOs), of China, a former Asian Continental Lightweight Champion. Gholam is a former World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth silver and World Boxing Organization (WBO) Inter-Continental Super Featherweight Champion.

Indian welterweight Faizan Anwar (18-0, 9 KOs), whose goal is to be India’s first world champion in professional boxing, was pushed to his limits against 2017 French National Champion Nurali Erdogan (15-3, 1 KO). The 22-year-old Anwar, who was the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in his native India, moved to Dubai five years ago to improve his pro boxing career. He won a 10-round split decision over the pure boxing Frenchman.

Popular UAE super flyweight Al Nuaimi remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision versus Muhsin Kizota (20-5, 12 KOs), of Tanzania. Al Nuaimi was a two-time national champion as an amateur and he also became the first boxer in UAE history to win a bout in the Asian Games.

Super featherweight Fahad “Kid Emirati” Al Bloushi (15-1, 3 KOs), the UAE’s most experienced pro boxer, extended his win streak to 14 with a six-round victory by unanimous decision over Tanzania’s Ibrahim “The Puncher” Makubi (11-3-1, 6 KOs).     

Also fighting on the undercard, Egyptian welterweight Marwan Mohamad Madboly (4-0, 2 KOs) won a six-round unanimous decision versus Ibrahim “The Puncher” Makubi (11-3-1, 6 KOs); Egyptian super featherweight Mostafa Mohammad Fahmi Komsan (3-0, 3 KOs) stopped Ibrahim Mwalami (4-2-1, 1 KO), of Tanzania, in the second round by technical knockout; Lebanese super middleweight Nadim Salloum (13-2, 6 KOs) knocked out C Lalhruaitluanga (7-2, 3 KOs), of India, in the fourth round; and Ugandan lightweight champion “King” Fahad Mulindwa (8-4, 34 KOs) need only two rounds to eliminate Mohamed Salah Abdelghany (4-5, 0 KOs), of Egypt.

In three other support fights, super welterweight Eissa Eidan (2-0, 0 KOs), of Kuwait, took a four-round unanimous decision from Pakistani Shahzada Sohail (0-5), Syrian heavyweight Kenan Marai (2-0, 2 KOs) blasted out pro-debuting Ahmadzai Abdulahi (0-1), of Afghanistan, midway through round one, United Kingdom flyweight Tony “Lightning Junior” Curtis (7-1, 3 KOs) outpointed India’s Ismailulah Khan (1-2, 1 KO) in a six-rounder.    

AAM Seddiqi Sports has been promoting and managing boxers in this region for 10 years. It boasts a growing stable of more than 30 gifted regional and global talents. Its events have included five world title shows, broadcast globally on ESPN, Sky Sports, and other major networks.

Complete results below:

_______________________________________________________________________

OFFICIAL RESULTS

MAIN EVENT – LIGHTWEIGHTS

Bader Al-Dherat (11-0, 8 KOs), Jordan

WSDEC10

Orlando Mosquera (13-3-1, 2 KOs), Panama

CO-FEATURE – SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS

Moussa Gholam (22-1, 13 KOs), Morocco

WUDEC10

Lingjie Xia (9-1-2, 2 KOs), China

SPECIAL WELTERWEIGHT ATTRACTION

Faizan Anwar (18-0, 9 KOs), India

WSDEC10

Nurali Erdogan (15-3, 1 KO), France

SPECIAL SUPER FLYWEIGHT ATTRACTION

Sultan Al Nuami (11-0, 7 KOs), UAB

WUDEC10       

Muhsin Kizota (20-5, 12 KOs), Tanzania

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Kenan Marai (2-0, 2 KOs), Syria

WTKO1 (1 :07)

Ahmadzai Abdulahi (0-1), Afganistan

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Nadim Salloum (12-2, 6 KOs), Lebanon

WTKO4 (2:56)

C Lalhruaitluanga (7-2, 3 KOs), India

SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS

Eissa Ridan (2-0, 0 KOs), Kuwait

WUDEC4

Shahzada Sohail (0-5), Pakistan

WELTERWEIGHTS

Marwan Mohamad Madboly (4-0, 2 KOs), Egypt

WUDEC6

Rimar Metuda (17-9-1, 11 K0s), Philippines

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Fahad Mulindwa (8-4, 3 KOs), Uganda

WTKO2 (2:13)

Mohamed Salah Abdelghany (4-5, 0 KOs), Egypt

SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS

Fahad Al Bloushi (15-1, 3 KOs), UAB

WDECU6

Ibrahim Makubi (11-3-1, 6 KOs)

Marwan Mohammed Fahmi Komsan (3-0, 3 KOs), Egypt

WTKO2

Ibrahim Mwalami (4-2-1, 1 KO), Tanzania

FLYWEIGHTS

Tony Curtis (7-1, 3 KOs), UK

WUDEC6

Ismailulah Khan (1-2, 0 KOs), India

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (January 5, 2024) – Moroccan super featherweight Moussa Gholam (20-1, 12 KOs) will headline “Rising Stars Arabia: The Revolution,” promoted by AAM Seddiqi Sports and sponsored by the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), on January 13th at Yas Links Golf Course in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The Rising Stars Arabia (RSA) series is the first of its kind in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, providing a platform to showcase the best of Arab boxing talent to international and regional audiences.

Sanctioned by the Middle East Professional Boxing Commission, “Rising Star Arabia: The Revolution” will be streamed live on DAZN and ESPN Knockout, as well as broadcast on Abu Dhabi Sports TV, starting at 8 p.m. UAEST (11 a.m. EST and 8 a.m. PST).

“2024 will be a significant year for Rising Stars Arabia,” promoter Ahmed Seddiqi said. “It’s the second edition of the series and we are thrilled to have world-class boxer Moussa Gholam perform globally on DAZN and ESPN KO. We’re also excited about other exceptional talents such as UAE national Fahad Ali Baloushi, Bader Samreen and the extraordinary talent from Iraq, Amer Kadhum Ghaneem.

“My hope is for Moroccans to come support their fighter, Emiratis to back their warrior, and all other Arab nationals on the card to have their supporters and fanbase present live on January 13th at Yas Links Abu Dhabi. None of this would have been possible without our partners from the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi and our broadcasting partners, DAZN and ESPN Knockout.”

Gholam, who was rated No. 14 by the World Boxing Council WBC) at the time, was originally scheduled to headline the inaugural “Rising Stars Arabia” event this past September 9th. However, he was forced to withdraw due to an injury suffered during training camp, but he returns eager to establish himself as the future of Arab boxing in his Middle East debut fight.

The 28-year-old Gholam will take on South African “Baby” Lunga Sitemela (15-1, 9 KOs) in the 10-round main event. Gholam is a former World Boxing Organization (WBO) Inter-Continental and WBC Youth Silver Super Featherweight Champion. Sitemela is a former South African Super Featherweight Champion.

The 10-round co-featured event pits hometown favorite Fahad “Kid Emirati” Al Bloushi (12-1, 2 KOs) against veteran Milner Marcano (24-12, 20 KOs), of Argentina. Al Bloushi, the pride of UAE, has won his last 11 fights in a row.

A Special Lightweight Attraction features red-hot Bader “The Master” Samreen (9-0, 8 KOs), the first professional boxer from Jordan, against the United Kingdom’s Jeff Ofori (13-5-2, 4 KOs) in a 10-round bout. Samreen, 23, captured a bronze medal as an amateur at the 2018 AIBA Youth World Championships. He turned pro in 2021 and moved to Dubai to enhance his boxing career.

Opening the streaming segment of the evening is one of the best kept secrets in boxing, Syria’s undefeated cruiserweight force Mohammed “The Destroyer” Bekdash (26-0, 23 KOs), in an eight-round match versus Shaban Hamadi Jongo (11-3-2, 10 KOs), of Tanzania. Devastating puncher Bekdash is riding a 14-fight knockout streak dating back to 2015, while the dangerous Jongo is a former Tanzania Cruiserweight Champion.

Fighting on the undercard in six-round matches are Iraq light heavyweight Amer Kadhum Ghaneem (2-0, 1 KO) vs. Marcela German Rodriguez (0-1), of Argentina, and Jordan’s Hisham Osama Majed Elsimreen (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Riva Kundimang (9-7-2, 5 KOs), of Indonesia, at a 152-pound catchweight.

Also scheduled to be in action, all in four-rounders, are Moroccan Anas Hafiane (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Uganda’s Batamazee Iddi (0-1) at a 143-pound catchweight, Saudi Arabian super lightweight Sulaiman Abbar (1-0, 0 KOs) vs. Salum Omari (1-2 (0 KOs), of Tanzania, and UAE middleweight Fahad Alkhoori (2-0, 2 KOs) vs. Pakistan’s Shahzada Sohail (0-3).

Card subject to change.

AAM Seddiqi Sports has been promoting and managing fighters in the region for 10 years and it has a growing stable of more than 30 gifted regional and global talents. Its events include five world title shows that have been broadcasted globally on ESPN, Sky Sports, and other major networks.

DCT Abu Dhabi is responsible for promoting, protecting, and progressing the emirate by driving the strategic and sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors. As part of its mandate, the department is responsible for promoting regional and global sporting events in the emirate.

Tickets to Rising Stars Arabia are on sale now at https://swiy.co/rsa2. Leading up to the event, fans can find updates on the AAM Seddiqi Sports Instagram channel @seddiqiboxing and on seddiqiboxing.com.

InAbuDhabi

RisingStarsArabiaTheRevolution

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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 series 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

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors, fuelling economic progress and helping to achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions. By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies, and systems to support the culture, creative and tourism industries.

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.

MTK Global is delighted to announce the signing of unbeaten super-featherweight sensation Moussa Gholam on an advisory deal.

Gholam (18-0, 11 KOs) has been extremely impressive since entering the paid ranks in 2016, winning a number of titles to date, including the WBO Intercontinental super-featherweight title, and WBC Youth Silver super-featherweight title. The Spain-based Moroccan is known for his huge power, with six of his last seven wins all coming by knockout, and he’s targeting big things after teaming up with MTK Global, who will work in association with Gallego Prada. Gholam said: “I’m very excited to join MTK. I have been hoping this would happen for two years, when I was in Marbella to spar with Jono Carroll. “I also had the opportunity to talk to Billy Joe Saunders back then, and both are fighters that I really appreciate, so now becoming part of the team is a really big step for me. I’m very motivated with this signing, and this will make me work harder to arrive as soon as possible at the top level. “I’m always asking to face the best fighters in my division. In my weight I want Zelfa Barrett, Archie Sharp, Joe Cordina. Up to now, it has been tough to get them to fight me, but I hope that MTK will be able to bring me these fights to show to the entire world who I am. “My main objective is to become world champion. I know that it is not an easy one, but I think that bringing together Gallego Prada, the team that has backed me since I was 11, and the worldwide experience of MTK, I will be able to win that world title. I can’t think of a better way to thank Gallego Prada and MTK for the confidence they have put in me.” MTK Global Promoter Lee Eaton added: “We’re thrilled to be working with Gallego Prada to guide the career of Moussa Gholam from here on out. He has dominated during his career so far, and we expect him to kick on and have plenty of success. “The super-featherweight division is an exciting division to be a part of, and we’re looking forward to seeing Moussa become a key part of that weight class.” News on when Gholam will have his first bout as an MTK Global fighter will be announced in due course. Stay up to date by subscribing to our weekly newsletter HERE and on social media @mtkglobal

Kerman Lejarraga won a 10-round technical majority decision over in Dylan Charrat in Barcelona, Spain.

A clash of heads opened up a cut over the right eye of Lejarraga in round nine. The cut caused the fight to be halted with Lejarraga winning by scores of 96-94, 96-95 and 95-95.

Lejarraga, 153.4 lbs of Bibao, SPA is 33-2. Charrat, 153.4 lbs of Cannes, FRA is 20-1-1.

Mary Romero stopped Amy Timlin after round eight of their 10-round super bantamweight bout.

Timlin was cuut in round one over her left eye from a punch. The cut worsened over the fight, and the fight was stopped after round eight in the corner.

Romero, 119 lbs of Murcia, SPA is 7-2 with two knockouts. Timlin, 120.3 lbs of Southam, ENG is 4-1-1.

Former world champion Kiko Martinez won an eight-round unanimous decision over Jayro Duran in a featherweight contest.

In round five, Martinez dropped Duran with a hard overhand right.

Martinez, 128 lbs of Alicante, SPA won by scores of 80-71 and 79-72 twice and is now 42-10-2. Duran, 128.7 lbs of Gerona, SPA is 14-10.

Cristobal Lorente dropped Anuar Salas twice en-route to an eight-round unanimous decision a super featherweight bout.

In round one, Lorente dropped Salas with a left hook. In round four, Lorente hurt Salas with a right and and then dropped him after a combination on the ropes.

Lorente, 128.7 lbs of Barcelona, SPA won by scores of 80-70, 80-71 and 79-72 and is now 13-0-1. Salas, 127.8 lbs of Monteria, COL is 21-11-1.

Moussa Gholam remained undefeated with a final round stoppage over Mauro Alex Hasan Perounene in an eight-round super featherweight contest

In round two, Perounene started to bleed from his nose. Gholam continued to pound away at Perounene, yet Perounene showed a lot of fight until his corner threw the towel in at 2:38.

Gholam, 131.1 lbs of L’Hospitalet de libreget, SPA is 17-0 with 10 knockouts. Perounene, 132.9 lbs of Buenos Aries, ARG is 12-4-1/

Cyrus Pattinson won a six-round decision over Dimitru Vicol in a welterweight contest.

Pattinson, 151 lbs of Ahington, ENG is 2-0. Vicol, 151.8 lbs of Sauceaya, ROM is 1-2.