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The next step in Middle Eastern boxing is crowning a world champion

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Riyadh Season Saudi Boxing League

The Middle East Professional Boxing Commission (MEPB) has become a key behind-the-scenes group supporting the efforts of Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) and the United Arab Emirates (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) to successfully compete with Las Vegas and Recent York as the premier centers of the “sweet science.”

In addition to hosting some of the most popular and profitable pay-per-view boxing events of the past few years, the Middle East is rapidly developing Arab boxing talent with the goal of ultimately crowning the first Arab professional boxing world champion.

Under the leadership of Jose Mohan, MEPB is playing a key role in developing the Middle East as the recent and future face of professional boxing.

“We are incredibly proud of several achievements, including our position as the lead commission for a historic moment, the undisputed heavyweight title (Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury) in Riyadh, the biggest fight of the century,” said Mr. Mohan. “We have already sanctioned over 100 shows to demonstrate our rapid growth and influence in the region, becoming the first regional organization to sanction shows independently, eliminating the need for overseas commissions. We are also proud to have played a key role in commissioning major events such as the Anthony Joshua vs. Oleksandr Usyk and Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury fights.”

Fury vs. Usyk Weigh-In – Oleksandr Usyk is on the scale. Jose Mohan (gloomy suit) is standing in the front row on the right.

(photo courtesy of Seddiqi Boxing)

Mohan noted that several factors are at play in the growing popularity of boxing in the Middle East. His incredible success is attributed to his foresight and foresight that boxing would eventually grow in the region, although not necessarily on the scale it has in Saudi Arabia, which has hosted some of the world’s most profitable and popular events in recent years.

“Over the last five or six years, there have been a few boxing promoters in the region who have paved the way for boxing, and then MEPB has started booking fights, including world title fights and regional championships, which has helped establish its credibility and expertise. Government initiatives, particularly Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s focus on the sport, have used boxing as a dramatically effective development tool, and it has worked quite well.”

Boxing was relatively unknown in the region, but the MEPB worked demanding to change that, investing millions of dollars, commissioning over 100 shows, and making a persistent effort for 10 years to get to where it is today.

“The formation of the MEPB was driven by necessity,” Mohan explained. “The region lacked a local boxing commission, which made it hard to organize events and have fighters participate. We addressed this by hiring experts to train our local team and investing significant time, effort and money. We persevered through over 100 shows over a decade, a journey that required patience and robust financial support. While we have made great progress, we continue to learn and improve. Our history shows how we identified a critical need in the region’s boxing scene and worked tirelessly to fill it, establishing the MEPB as a cornerstone for boxing in the Middle East.”

“We believe that the growth of boxing in the Middle East will continue to accelerate. This growth is manifesting itself in two different but complementary ways: in Saudi Arabia we are witnessing the hosting of superfights – huge international boxing events that attract attention from all over the world; however, in Abu Dhabi the emphasis is on creating grassroots boxing programs, which are key to developing local talent and creating a sustainable boxing ecosystem.”

In addition to promoting the Middle East as a rising powerhouse in boxing, MEPB is also heavily involved in the Rising Stars series, which shines a spotlight on fast-rising Arab boxers. The Rising Stars platform plays a key role in the development of boxing throughout the region. While Saudi Arabia stages high-profile superfights with international stars, MEPB recognizes that these fighters will eventually retire and that it is crucial to develop the next generation of boxing talent, focusing on developing talent from the Middle East, North Africa, India, Pakistan and Iran. Rising Stars aims to create global prospects, not just regional ones.

“The aim is to see Arab boxers headline events in Arab countries,” Mohan added. “With 500 million people in the Middle East and North Africa, we believe one star could gain millions of followers. Rising Stars is part of (series promoter) Ahmed Seddiqi’s vision to see an Arab champion, supported by Abu Dhabi tourism.

“As a committee, we strongly support initiatives that focus on local talent and grassroots development. We support promotions that share our vision of growing the sport and developing athletes from the region. Their success is commendable and contributes significantly to our overall mission to raise the standard of boxing in the Middle East.”

MEPB’s short-term goals include strengthening the ecosystem by adding additional trained ringside doctors and officials, increasing awareness of the sport and encouraging more children to pursue boxing professionally or for fitness. In the long term, MEPB wants more regional promoters who understand the sport and how the business works, more managers coming from the region and better trainers to train fighters. MEPB will also educate people about boxing safety and develop world-class referees, judges and global promoters from the region. Ultimately, its goal is to crown the first Arab world champion.

“Our ultimate goal is to have an Arab world champion,” Mohan concluded. “That’s the reason for investing in superfights in Saudi Arabia and grassroots boxing in Abu Dhabi. At the end of the day, we want to see a champion coming out of the Arab region. That’s the goal of MEPB and the promoters. We have a realistic 3-5 year plan to achieve that. We are confident that whatever we see in the region will actually become a reality.

“We are already seeing promising signs of progress towards our ultimate goal. Several Arab boxers – Moroccan super featherweight Moussa Gholam (22-1, 13 KOs), Jordanian lightweight Bader Al-Dherat (11-0, 8 KOs), UAE super featherweight Sultan Al Nuaimi (11-0, 7 KOs) and super featherweight Fahad Al Bloushi (15-1, 3 KOs) – are on the verge of breaking into the top 15 of the rankings of the major sanctioning bodies, a significant milestone that demonstrates the growing quality of our regional talent. The day is approaching when a regional talent will headline a major event in a stadium in Riyadh or Abu Dhabi. This prospect is not only stimulating, but also the realization of our long-term vision.”

Boxing is rapidly changing for the better; the Middle East Professional Boxing Commission is playing a significant role in this.

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Boxing

George Kambosos moves up to 140, adds Eddie Hearn to team

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George Kambosos beats Teofimo

Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos approached promoter Eddie Hearn asking for more massive fights.

Kambosos has signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn, under which the Greek-Australian slugger will continue his association with DiBella Entertainment Inc. and his own company, Ferocious Promotions.

The 21-3 star will move up to the super lightweight division of Matchroom Boxing’s lively division. He aims to become a two-weight world champion in early 2025, and as part of the deal, a title fight is promised as long as he continues to win.

Since his stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos has never shied away from competing against the best. Those three losses on his resume came to Devin Haney [twice] and Vasily Lomachenko, all at home and all for world titles.

The 31-year-old is now set to face compatriot Liam Paro after defending his IBF title against Richardson Hitchins in December in Puerto Rico.

“I am thrilled to be working with Matchroom Boxing. I am excited to have signed a three-way promotional cooperation agreement with my long-time promoter DiBella Entertainment Inc. and Ferocious Promotions,” Kambosos said.

“I made great success and history when I moved up the Matchroom shows by winning my UK elimination fight against Lee Selby. The most noteworthy and unforgettable is my victory against Teofimo at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York to become the 135-pound world champion.

“I am officially announcing that I will be moving up to 140 pounds and signing with Matchroom will ensure my continued success and the legacy I want to leave in the sport of boxing.”

Hearn, who adds an experienced campaigner to his stable, added: “I am delighted to welcome George to the team. George’s victory over Teofimo tore up the script and showed that George was the man for the massive time. He has proven to be a huge attraction in Australia and one of the real driving forces behind the rapid growth of boxing Down Under.

“The 140-pound division is full of massive names and massive potential fights. Adding George to the mix only elevates the level, and a possible fight with Liam Paro is a truly appetizing prospect. If Liam manages to win in a great fight against Richardson on December 7th [the fight could be on].

Lou DiBella, who has worked with Kambosos for years, said: “I’m glad I was able to make a deal with my antique buddy Eddie to work with George Kambosos Jr. and Ferocious Promotions.

“Throughout his career, George has been a fighter who has never shied away from a challenge, and now he wants to test himself against top junior welterweights.

Matchroom works with top 140-pounders, including George’s compatriot Liam Paro, and, like DiBella Entertainment, is heavily invested in Australia.

“It’s a natural partnership,” added the Up-to-date Yorker.

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Mike Tyson had absolutely no chance of knocking out Jake Paul

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Mike Tyson comeback black

One of the hottest topics surrounding Mike Tyson’s return at the age of 58 was the possibility of the boxing legend scoring a knockout of Jake Paul.

WBN has weighed in on this topic several times, questioning the validity of five-second training clips that revealed nothing about Tyson’s abilities at this overdue age. One of the most intriguing observations during the preparations was the opinion of UFC commentator Daniel Cormier.

Speaking on his show “Funky and the Champ,” Cormier reflected on Tyson’s social media videos and offered an informed opinion on the meaning of the clips.

“I understand that [he is in amazing shape at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels as though he can compete]– Cormier said. “And I agree that when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro, it looks like there’s still something left in him.

“But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I saw Jake Paul get overwhelmed to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable. It looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But Jake has a reserve tank he can go to and benefit from because he’s 28 years ancient. Then he comes back and finally finishes Mike Perry.

“At the beginning of the fight, Mike Perry gets beaten up and dropped. He looks trained and unmatched. This worries me because what if it looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man while Mike can’t employ the backup tank to stay and compete with this newborn kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.

He added: “What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over. Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport.”

Unfortunately for Tyson, this revenge backfired spectacularly, as the former heavyweight champion’s return was the only event that bombed. Tyson had nothing left twenty years after he had nothing left in his tank and no desire to box in his mind.

Paul parlayed this into a money-making scheme that would forever be a success for him and his company, but would be poorly received by the die-hard boxing fraternity.

Cormier’s words resonate, especially after what happened in the ring when Mike Tyson struggled to shift into first gear, warning former fighters thinking about returning after 50.

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Lauren Price looks to win Jonas vs Habazin with an undercard victory

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Lauren Price

Lauren Price MBE will defend her world title for the first time on Saturday, December 14 at the Exhibition Center in Liverpool, while the Welsh champion plans to stage an all-British unification clash with welterweight rival Natasha Jonas, which will headline the Collision Course that night.

Price defends her WBA welterweight title against undefeated Colombian challenger Bexcy Mateus on the same night as Jonas attempts to unify the IBF and WBC titles with Ivana Habazin as part of BOXXER’s ‘Collision Course’ fight night, which can be seen live and exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK UK and Ireland and Peacock in the US.

Price MBE (7-0, 1 KO) made history with an excellent performance, defeating former undisputed welterweight world ruler Jessica McCaskill in front of her fans in Cardiff in May.

Price, the first Welsh boxer to win Olympic gold, once again entered the record books by becoming the country’s first world champion in just her seventh professional fight. The 30-year-old from Ystrad Mynach, who has yet to lose a round as a professional, will now defend her world titles for the first time as she focuses on dominating the welterweight division.

Mateus (7-0, 6 KO), ranked No. 5 in the WBA rankings, is undefeated in the professional ranks and has won all but one of her seven fights by knockout. The 29-year-old from Bogota, fighting outside her native Colombia for the first time, will now have her first chance at global fame, with her goal to dethrone Price and take the top spot in the welterweight division.

Lauren Price said: “I’m excited to defend my belts and complete what has been an crucial year for me. I have full respect for Mateusz. I will prove that I am the best in the division and I will not let anything or anyone stand in my way of being undisputed.”

BOXXER Founder and CEO Ben Shalom said: “It’s a massive night for the women’s welterweight division with three world champions competing. Natasha Jonas returns to her hometown for a mandatory unification fight against Ivana Habazin, and Lauren Price defends her world titles against undefeated challenger Bexcy Mateus. The fight for the undisputed continues. If Natasha and Lauren win on December 14, it will set the stage for a massive “Battle Of Britain” world title unification fight next year.

There’s reason to celebrate as BOXXER delivers a Christmas cracker to end the year. In addition to the world championship fights between Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price, fight fans can expect a gala full of drama and entertainment.

Undefeated Irishman Stephen McKenna (15-0, 14 KO) will face English champion Lee Cutler (14-1, 7 KO) in an invigorating super welterweight fight for the silver WBC International title.

McKenna impressed fans in his three-round fight against Joe Laws last August at Oakwell Stadium in Barnsley. The two struck out in the first round, then McKenna began to apply the pressure, losing Laws three more times and maintaining his undefeated record after a third-round stoppage.

English cruiserweight champion Viddal Riley (11-0, 6 KO) returns to action from a rib injury that has kept him out of the ring since a career-best victory over Mikael Lawal in March. Riley will be looking to shake off the ring rust as he takes on high-profile opponents in the recent year.

Undefeated Chorley super middleweight Mark Jeffers (18-0, 5 KO) scored an explosive fifth-round knockout victory over Darren Johnston in May and will be looking to bring more drama to Liverpool’s Exhibition Center as he goes in search of his 19th professional win.

Mason Cartwright (20-4-1, 8 KO) from Cheshire, a former two-time British title challenger from Ellesmere Port, will be counting on local support as he returns to the title track.

After signing a promotional contract with BOXXER, local star Frankie Stringer (8-0, 1 KO) can achieve his third victory in 2024, when he returns in front of his fans in Liverpool. The 23-year-old lightweight fighter is a player of the notable city team Rotunda ABC, and his manager is former world champion Liam Smith.

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