Last night, under a canopy of stars, the “Rising Stars Arabia: The Revolution” unfolded, casting a spotlight on Arab boxers. The evening, a spectacle of fists and feints, was orchestrated by AAM Seddiqi Sports and backed by the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), at Yas Links Golf Course in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This pugilistic extravaganza, a brainchild of the Middle East Professional Boxing Commission, lit up screens worldwide, streaming live on DAZN and ESPN Knockout, and also found a home on Abu Dhabi Sports TV.
The Rising Stars Arabia (RSA) series, a first for both the UAE and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, has thrown open the ring to Arab boxers, parading their skills to fans far and wide.
Moussa Gholam, Morocco’s super featherweight sensation, bounced back like a warrior from an injury that had clipped his wings last fall. Gholam, 28, escalated his record to 21-1 (13 KOs) after dispatching “Baby” Lunga Sitemela (15-2, 9 KOs), the erstwhile South African Super Featherweight Champion, in a fourth-round stoppage. His resume boasts titles like the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Inter-Continental and WBC Youth Silver Super Featherweight Champion.
The co-main event saw UAE’s own Fahad “Kid Emirati” Al Bloushi (13-1, 3 KOs) stretching his winning streak to 12. He clinched victory through a sixth-round technical knockout against Venezuela’s lightweight Milner Marcano (24-13, 20 KOs).
Jordan’s Bader “The Master” Samreen (10-0, 8 KOs) kept his record spotless, seizing a 10-round majority decision from the UK’s hopeful Jeff Ofori in a Special Lightweight Attraction. Samreen, a youth bronze medalist and a Dubai transplant since 2021, continues to shape his promising career.
Syrian Mohammed “The Destroyer” Bekdash (27-0, 23 KOs), a whisper in the boxing world, stood tall yet again. In a gripping eight-round heavyweight duel, he outlasted Tanzania’s Shaban Hamadi Jongo (11-4-2, 10 KOs), a former Tanzanian Cruiserweight Champion.
Iraqi Amer Kadhum Ghaneem (3-0, 1 KO), a rising super middleweight, clinched a six-round unanimous decision over Mexico’s Bervely Garcia Gonzalez (5-7, 1 KO).
OFFICIAL RESULTS
MAIN EVENT – SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS
Moussa Gholam (21-1, 13 KOs), Morocco
WTKO4 (1:23)
Lunga Sitemela (15-2, 9 KOs), South Africa
CO-FEATURE – LIGHTWEIGHTS
Fahad Al Bloushi (13-1, 3 KOs), United Arab Emirates
WTKO6
Milner Marcano (25-13, 20 KOs), Venezuela
SPECIAL LIGHTWEIGHT ATTRACTION
Bader Samreen (10-0, 8 KOs), Jordan
WDEC10 (96-94, 96-94, 95-95)
Jeff Ofori (13-6-2, 4 KOs), United Kingdom
HEAVYWEIGHTS
Mohammad Bekdash (27-0, 23 KOs), Syria
WDEC8 (78-74, 77-75, 77-75)
Shaban Hamadi Jongo (11-4-2, 10 KOs), Tanzania
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Amer Kadhum Ghaneem (3-0, 1 KO), Iraq
WDEC6 (59-55, 59-55, 59-55)
Bervely Garcia Gonzalez (5-7, 1 KO, Mexico
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Fahad Alkhoori (3-0, 3 KOs), United Arab Emirates
WTKO3 (1:55)
Shahzada Sohail (0-4), Pakistan
SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS
Isaac Zebra Junior (2-0, 2 KOs), Uganda
WKO1 (1:31)
Ibraham Kandel (1-7-1, 0 KOs), Egypt
WELTERWEIGHTS
Husham Osuma Majed Elisimreen (2-0, 1 KO)
WTKO3 (2:49)
Riva Kundimang (9-8-2, 5 KOs), Indonesia
SUPER LIGHTWEIGHTS
Anas Hafiane (1-0, 1 KO), Morocco
WDEC4 (40-33, 40-33, 40-33)
Batamazee Iddi (0-1), Uganda
Sulaiman Abbar (2-0, 1 KO), Saudi Arabia
WTKO2 (2:29)
Sulum Omari (1-3, 0 KOs), Tanzania