Boxing fans can look forward to the first professional bouts in the city from October when ‘Thursday Night Fights’ is held at the du Forum on Yas Island.
US-based Lion Heart Boxing Productions is bringing the sport to the capital and the inaugural fights will feature top boxers from the international scene as well as local and regional boxing stars. Abu Dhabi has never previously hosted a live professional boxing event.
Among the names confirmed for the first fight on 17th October are former British heavyweight champion and Commonwealth heavyweight champion Danny Williams, Moroccan welterweight champion Said Ouali and Dubai’s Mohammad Ali Bayat. Their opponents have yet to be announced.
Williams’ illustrious career includes a knockout win over former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson. He is also a former two-time British heavyweight champion, two-time Commonwealth heavyweight champion, WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight champion and WBU champion.
Lion Heart Boxing Promotions CFO Edward Mendy said: “We have put our money where
our mouth is in order to make history by promoting the first live professional boxing event in Abu Dhabi. 17th October will be really entertaining and a night to remember.”
The only taste of professional boxing the city has previously experienced was also put on by Lion Heart Boxing Productions. The New Jersey-based company sponsored daily boxing exhibitions at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) featuring professional fighters during this year’s Abu Dhabi International Sports, albeit only in exhibition format.
