KARACHI: By the time the first ‘professional’ exhibition fight took place in Pakistan, the crowd seemed to be losing interest.

It had been a tediously long event by then – one which started late — and the organisers tried to get the interest of the crowd back.

Nevertheless, as loud music blared signalling the arrival of the boxers, the crowd was back on its feet.

At a plush hotel on Thursday night, British boxer of Pakistan heritage, Amir Khan organised the HBL Superstar Boxing Event in a truly glamourous manner, hoping to bring international boxing to the country.

“It was a phenomenal experience to fight here in Pakistan,” winner of the first fight, Dayle Gallagher told Dawn afterwards. “I am willing to fight here in Pakistan and raise money for the impoverished.”

The event was for charity, the proceeds going to projects for the drought-stricken Thar region.

And in the first fight, Gallagher — who is from Liverpool — showed fast accurate punches as he overpowered Philip Townley, his opponent from Belfast.

Gallagher won on points — 40-36 — against the Irishman, his fight giving the crowd much-needed action after it had initially seemed a drag.

Amir — the star attraction for guests who had paid Rs15,000 for a seat at the event — arrived nearly 90 minutes late than the scheduled time. His presence, nevertheless, filled the crowd with the energy that helped them last the event which finished in the early hours of Friday morning.

“I’d love to have a big fight here in Pakistan,” Amir told the audience, referring to the love he gets from the people of the country. “My dream is to fight here. I want to show my appreciation for the people here by boxing for them.

“I can beat anyone in the world here with the support I have here.”

Asked if he’d stay in his lightweight decision or make the grade up to the heavyweight class, Amir said: “I started boxing at a very young age and my natural weight is lightweight and I’d like to stay in that division and win titles.”

He reiterated that he would love to represent Pakistan at this year’s Rio Olympics “if his contract allows him to” after AIBA allowed professional fighters to compete at the Games.

YOUNG WOMEN BOXERS

Amir’s speech paved the way for the event to begin and it kicked off with an exhibition fight between Saira and Mehreen, two U-17 women boxers from Lyari — the politically-affected region of the city that has a huge tradition for producing boxers.

The two youngsters jumped at each other, throwing punches left, right and centre and in a move to honour them, the match was adjudged to be a draw.

“It’s a great experience and I’m loving it,” referee Richard Davies told Dawn. “I’ve enjoyed every moment. I never thought people here in Pakistan would be so hospitable and loving.”

The fight between Saira and Mehreen led to a long, drawn-out auction in which Amir gave away his signed boxing gloves, shorts in which he’s won his big matches, oil paintings of his fights as well as signed jerseys of former and current Manchester United players Robin Van Persie and Juan Mata.

With the elites of the city having gathered, the auction saw the items sold at exorbitant prices.

The most bizarre auction, though, was of Amir auctioning himself for lunch with a family. That auction saw the Amir Khan Trust (AKT) fetch a whopping Rs400,000.

Just when the crowd seemed to be losing their way in the auction, the first fight was announced which Gallagher won.

That followed by another long interlude in which musicians took over before the final fight of the night — a cruiserweight match between Stuart David Maddox and Jody Lee Meikle.

Maddox dominated Meikle as the two paced around the ring in an all-action fight. And the former won 39-36 on points to bring the curtains down on the event.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2016