BERLIN: Germany’s female world lightweight boxing champion Rola El-Halabi was recovering in hospital on Saturday after being gunned down before a title fight.

The 25-year-old, born in Lebanon, but raised in Ulm, Germany, was preparing for a WIBF title fight against Bosnia’s Irma Balijagic-Adler in Karlshorst, Berlin, on Friday when she was shot in her dressing room.

A 44-year-old man, believed to the boxer’s step-father and her former manager, fired at El-Halabi’s legs and hands, as well as wounding two security guards in the process, before police arrested him.

All three victims later needed emergency operations in hospital.

El-Halabi received three wounds and is recovering in hospital, but there are fears her injuries could threaten her career.

She is undefeated after 11 fights with six knock-outs.