Afghan World Boxing Union champion Hamid Rahimi punches his competitor Said Mbelwa of Tanzania during their World Boxing Organization Intercontinental middleweight fight in Kabul. – Photo by Reuters
A joyous Kabul crowd invaded the ring to celebrate a local victory in Afghanistan’s first professional men’s boxing match, after Hamid Rahimi beat Tanzanian Said Mbelwa in seven rounds. It may not have been the “Thriller in Manila”, but the bout billed as the “Fight 4 Peace” marks another sporting landmark for the war-torn nation after the resounding success of the Afghan Premier League football tournament. Amid tight security, around 2,000 fans including dignitaries such as the head of the intelligence service packed the Loya Jirga, and hundreds of thousands were expected to watch live television coverage. The crowd cheered every blow as Rahimi, who grew up in Germany, dominated the early exchanges, while his 23-year-old opponent looked to frustrate the home favourite by dancing round the ring before a shoulder injury got the better of him 17 seconds into the seventh. “I thank you all for coming — you gave me power, this belt belongs to Afghanistan. It is yours,” Rahimi told the crowd after receiving the WBO intercontinental middleweight belt.
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well done.. what a shot..
very nice snaps. well done Afghanistan.
It is good but sorry to say Pakistani media is silent on many Pakistani boxers and especially for Adil Anwar who is a mandatory challenger for British title is never mentioned in any news. Pakistani Origin boxers are making waves but Pakistani media is silent on that.
yes, very right dear Hassan. there are many issues like this needs full atteintion of the media.