In the desert heat of Abu Dhabi, at the scenic Yas Links Golf Course, Moroccan power was on full display when Jaouad Belmehdi, sans any flashy monikers, handed Alfred Lamptey his first professional defeat in the headline fight of Rising Stars Arabia’s latest installment. This event, a pioneer in the MENA region, not only spotlights Arab boxing talent but also serves as a battleground for them to make some serious noise on the global stage, thanks to the Middle East Professional Boxing Commission’s nod.
Streaming giants DAZN and ESPN Knockout brought this spectacle right to our screens, showcasing a fight night that had fans on the edge of their seats. Belmehdi, with a resume that boasts a French Lightweight Championship, went toe-to-toe with Lamptey in what could easily be a contender for the fight of the year, edging out a split decision victory after 10 grueling rounds.
Not to be overshadowed, the co-main event saw Fahad Al Bloushi, a local favorite and the UAE’s most seasoned pro in the ring, notch up another win against Andres Garcia. The fight card was peppered with performances that ranged from Sultan Al Nuaimi’s knockout win to Amer Kadhum Ghaneem’s draw, showcasing the depth of talent in the region.
Isaac Zebra, Jr.’s knockout victory and Faizan Anwar’s surprising first-round KO were among the highlights, alongside Youssef Karrar’s technical knockout win and Mostafa Mohammed Fahmi Komsan’s narrow decision victory.
Undercard bouts saw Anas Hafiane continue his knockout streak, while Fahad Alkhoori faced an unexpected setback against Ariemba Isalah Odhiambo. The night kicked off with Kenan Marai delivering a knockout debut, setting the tone for a memorable event.
Rising Stars Arabia 3, a brainchild of AAM Seddiqi Sports and supported by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism, once again proved why it’s the go-to platform for Arab boxers aiming for the stars. With a decade of promoting fights and nurturing over 30 regional and international talents, AAM Seddiqi Sports continues to be a cornerstone of the boxing scene in the MENA region, staging world title fights that have captured the attention of boxing aficionados worldwide.
MAIN EVENT – SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS
Jaouad Belmehdi (20-1-3, 9 KOs), Morocco
WDEC10 (96-94, 96-94, 93-97)
Alfred Lamptey (13-1, 9 KOs), Ghana
CO-FEATURE – LIGHTWEIGHTS
Fahad Al Bloushi (14-1, 3 KOs), United Arab Emirates
WDEC8 (78-76, 78-76, 77-75)
Andres Garcia (14-8-1, 11 KOs), Venezuela
HEAVYWEIGHTS
Kenan Marai (1-0,1 KO), Syria
WTKO1 (3 :00)
Eureka Mwamba Kabeya (0-2), Congo
CRUISERWEIGHTS
Youssef Karrar (3-0, 2 KOs), Egypt
WTKO3 (1:55)
Yusuf Kizito (0-1), Uganda
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Amer Kadhum Ghaneem (3-0-1, 1 KO), Iraq
D6 (58-56, 57-57-, 57-57)
Kharon Zapolsky (3-1-1, 1 KO), Russia
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Ariemba Odhiambo (2-4 (0 KOs)
WDEC4
Fahad Alkhoori (3-1, 3 KOs), United Arab Emirates
SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS
Isaac Zebra, Jr. (3-0, 3 KOs), Uganda
WTKO1 (2:34)
Ahmed Saad (4-3, 1 KO), Egypt
WELTERWEIGHTS
Faizan Anwar (17-0, 9 KOs), India
WTKO1 (2:34)
Abdumonem Said (23-4-1, 11 KOs), Egypt
Anas Hafiane (3-0, 2 KOs), Morocco
WTKO1 (0:37)
Sajan Greece Makesh Daisy (0-3), India
FEATHERWEIGHTS
Mostafa Mohammed Fahmi Komsan (1-1, 1 KO), Egypt
WDEC4
Guanlin Mu (1-3-1, 0 KOs), China
SUPER FLYWEIGHTS
Sultan Al Nuami (11-0, 7 KOs), United Arab Emirates
WKO5 (1:46)
Eliu Canario (14-4, 11 KOs), Venezuela