Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube
Sunday, April 19, 2026
Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube
Google search engine
Home Blog Page 67

COMBATIVE LUYOYO HITS BACK AT EYASSU WITH A DIGGING BODY BLOW AS TUNISIA WAR HOTS UP

By
-
0
COMBATIVE LUYOYO HITS BACK AT EYASSU WITH A DIGGING BODY BLOW AS TUNISIA WAR HOTS UP
IBA must move fast to contain this circus in African boxing with a sucker punch
Ferdinand Ilunga Luyoyo, the aggressive Interim President of the Africa Boxing Confederation wing opposed to Eyassu Berhanu’s leadership in the troubled African boxing body, has reacted angrily with a barrage of punches aimed at Berhanu who has dismissed the January 24 AFBC Pro Boxing card in Tunisia as an illegality. He warns national federations of dire consequences if their boxers participate in the Tunisia boxing show.
Luyoyo has, however, laughed off Berhanu’s threats, likening him to a punch-drunk boxer throwing punches with both eyes closed.
He challenged Berhanu to state what he has done for Africa boxing since winning the elections on a walkover in 2023 other than creating disunity in national federations.
“We’re planning to organise tournaments to benefit our African boxers without relying on IBA support but Eyassu is against this progress, he tried to sabotage Africa Championships in Kinshasa last year telling countries not to participate but he failed, what does he want now,” wondered Luyoyo.
Luyoyo went on: “He told us he’s a billionaire he’ll use his own money to support Africa boxing we’ve not seen this happening, he has not brought a single sponsor on board despite bragging he’s well connected. Instead the so called billionaire is shamelessly relying on IBA to fund his activities.”
Luyoyo’s letter addressed to AFBC affiliates and IBA reads: “Dear Presidents and Secretary Generals,
I am writing to you to denounce and refute the content of the latest correspondence
sent to you and the Tunisian Government by Mr. Eyassu
which aim to sow doubt and confusion around the organization of the Professional
Boxing Gala that the AFBC is staging in Tunis on January 24, 2025 to celebrate
friendship, solidarity and brotherhood between members of the African boxing family.
“The Tunis Gala is the result of the will of the majority of the federations present at the
AFBC Extraordinary Congress in Dubai on December 6, 2024, and subsequently
validated by the AFBC Board of Directors at its meeting held the day after the said
Congress. The modalities of execution had been put in place by the AFBC Competitions
Commission, the body that ultimately authorizes our competitions.
“I am rather surprised and astonished by the stubbornness of Mr. Eyassu who continues
to present himself as president of the AFBC. I would like to remind you that this
gentleman lost the confidence of the majority of National Federations during their
meeting held in Kinshasa on October 24, 2024 in a solemn declaration and confirmed
by a decision of the AFBC Extraordinary Congress held in Dubai on December 6, 2024.
“l note that he is observing the same attitude as that displayed on the eve of the African
Championships we successfully organized in Kinshasa from October 16 to 27, 2024.
This is proof that Mr. Eyassu is not there for the good of boxing.He systematically opposes the organization of boxing competitions
when he himself is incapable of doing so and will hide behind the competitions
organized by the IBA to justify his catastrophic record. We remember that he declared
the African Championship in Kinshasa illegal and advocated its boycott, but in the end the IBA officially recognized this well organised tournament in its annual report at the Congress on December 7,
2024 in Dubai.
“I therefore ask you not to allow yourselves to be distracted by this gentleman who
continues to act against the regulatory principles that govern our noble sport because
the authorities empowered to manage sporting conflicts and violations will now deal
with him.”
In his letter to the National Federations, Berhanu warned them of disciplinary action if their boxers participate in the January 24 AFBC Pro Boxing card in Tunis.
He said Luyoyo and his team have no legal mandate to organise any boxing event in Africa.
Berhanu’s letter to all AFBC affiliates dated January 14, 2025, states they have not sanctioned the Tunisia event being organised under Luyoyo’s leadership.
In addition to all NFs, Berhanu’s letter is copied to IBA, AFBC Officials Committee, Coaches Committee, boxers, Ministry of Youth and Sports and Tunisia Boxing Federation.
The letter states in part: “Article 44.1 of the constitution stipulates that any boxing competition must adhere to IBA technical regulations. This unauthorized event does not meet these standards.
“Therefore participation in this event is strictly forbidden. Member federations must comply with this directive issued by the AFBC. Failure to comply with this decision will result in disciplinary action including loss of privileges as outlined in Article 10.1(d) of the constitution which mandates the forfeiture of participation rights in AFBC and IBA-sanctioned events.”
Ring analysts are of the opinion the International Boxing Association (IBA) has taken too long to contain this sad state of affairs in African boxing, and that it’s now the right time they move in swiftly to sort out the mess once and for all with a stinging sucker punch.
The big rift in AFBC is not only between Berhanu and Luyoyo but it has spread to the Board of Directors, the important decision-making organ of the AFBC with some board members supporting Berhanu and others on Luyoyo’s side.
In the wake of this senseless antagonism, the AFBC has not achieved much, organising only one tournament last year – the Africa Championships in Kinshasa, DR Congo.
As the AFBC officials continue to engage in their selfish and shameful power struggle, their counterparts in Asia, Europe and Americas are busy staging their own big tournaments in a seamless organisation of activities under steady, mature and sound management with sponsors to boot as African boxers remain starved of regular and money-spinning competitions occasioned by incompetent leadership.
Meanwhile, the Tunis 10-bout card will be headlined by three-time Africa champion Pita Kabeji of DR Congo taking on Tunisia’s Mohamed Riahi in a six-round cruiserweight main fight.
Two other African champions from DR Congo, female flyweight Nyembo Gisele and middleweight David Tshama are also in the mix. Gisele meets Tunisia’s 29-year-old 2017 Africa Championships bronze medallist Amel Chebbi and Tshama battles Libya’s Asim Dawku.
In some of the other bouts, Mauritius’ celebrated two-time Olympian and 2019 African Games champion Merven Clair has a date with Togo’s Kokou De Souza at light-middleweight, Tanzania’s light-welterweight King Lucas Mwajobaga will fight Angola’s Liduema Elder with Uganda’s middleweight Ojok Alfred clashing with Tunisia’s Hamza Ghazouani.
The men’s bouts will be six rounders of three minutes and five rounds of two minutes each for female boxers.

Countdown to the first ever AFBC Pro Boxing contest in Tunis, Tunisia, January 24, 2025 NITABETA YEYE KABISA, DECLARES DR CONGO’S NYEMBO GISELE

By
-
0
Tunisia's Amel Chebbi(left) takes on Africa flyweight champion DR Congo's Nyembo Gisele (right) who has said she will roast the Tunisian boxer in the first ever AFBC Pro Boxing card on January 24th in Tunisia.
Countdown to the first ever AFBC Pro Boxing contest in Tunis, Tunisia, January 24, 2025
NITABETA YEYE KABISA, DECLARES DR CONGO’S NYEMBO GISELE
Reigning Africa flyweight champion Nyembo Gisele of DRC can’t wait to be among the pioneers of the first ever AFBC Pro Boxing contest scheduled for Tunisia’s capital city, Tunis, on January 24.
She is excited to feature in this historic boxing showdown that ushers in the Africa Boxing Confederation (AFBC) Pro Boxing, the brainchild of Ferdinand Ilunga Luyoyo, the President of AFBC’s group opposed to the leadership of Eyassu Berhanu who is against the Tunisia card arguing it lacks legitimacy but he’s been dismissed by the Luyoyo faction who describe him as a lame duck President “whose punches cannot hurt even a mosquito”.
“Nitabeta yeye kabisa mnyumbani kwao (I’ll beat her badly her at her own backyard),” Gisele told boxersworld.co.ke in a telephone interview from Lubumbashi.
A gold and silver medalist at the 2024 and 2023 Africa Championships, Gisele said she’s prepared for her Tunisian opponent Amel Chebbi in a five-round flyweight bout.
“I’ll be in Kinshasa on Wednesday for intensive training before leaving for Tunisia,” said Gisele who is also the reigning Zone 3 champion and a bronze medallist in last year’s African Games in Accra, Ghana.
“She’ll know DRC boxers don’t joke in the ring, I’ll punish her not just winning,” thundered Gisele who did not rule out several trips to the canvas for the Tunisian boxer.
It’s fire!!! for fire!!! as the world looks forward to the first ever AFBC Pro Boxing aimed at empowering African boxers financially.
Meanwhile, Libya will host the AFBC Men’s and Women’s African Boxing Championships in March . This is Africa’s flagship event hosted last year in Kinshasa, DRC.

LUYOYO’S AFBC PRO BOXING A LANDMARK PROJECT IN AFRICA

By
-
0
LUYOYO’S AFBC PRO BOXING A LANDMARK PROJECT IN AFRICA
The de facto President of Africa Boxing Confederation (AFBC) group opposed to President Eyassu Berhanu’s current leadership, Ferdinand Ilunga Luyoyo, is set to make history on January 24 in Tunisia’s capital city, Tunis.
Known for his combative approach on governance issues, Luyoyo will curve a niche for himself as the brains behind the introduction of AFBC Pro Boxing which is aimed at empowering  African boxers financially.
“We have to start from somewhere, we can’t just be relying on IBA to do everything for us, we can also initiate our own tournaments,” said Luyuyo in an interview with Africa’s newest and fast-rising boxing site, boxersworld.co.ke, which has partnered with AFBC for the execution of this grand project.
Luyoyo, who is also the Congolese Boxing Federation President, is not new to pro boxing. He has a wealth of experience in the bare-chested game and owns Luyoyo Promotions which manages DR Congo’s  newly-crowned World Boxing Council (WBC) Africa cruiserweight champion Junior Makabu Ilunga who last December  knocked out Egypt’s Wagdy Attia in the third round to win the vacant WBC Africa cruiserweight title at the Stade de Martyrs in Kinshasa. The fight was organised by Luyoyo Promotions.
“Africa is rising, this is just the beginning, we intend to stage a series of AFBC Pro Boxing contests this year to inspire and empower our African boxers,” said Luyoyo, adding, “In future we would also like to see boxers from Europe, Asia and USA coming to Africa to compete against our boxers in prize money tournaments. With proper coordination between AFBC and our governments we will make it happen, there’s a lot of money in Africa.”
Luyoyo was also instrumental in the successful organisation of last year’s AFBC African Men’s and Women’s Boxing  Championships in DR Congo’s capital city, Kinshasa.
“We did it by ourselves without IBA’s funding unlike some of us who always run to the international body for financial support,” said Luyoyo.
“We need to give IBA a break at times, they’re doing a wonderful job worldwide, personally I really appreciate their contribution that’s why it’s important for us in Africa to initiate and fund our projects. We thank IBA a lot for their support.”

AFBC STILL WOBBLING AS LUYOYO, BERHANU POWER STRUGGLE INTENSIFIES

By
-
0
DR Congo's three-time Africa champion Pita Kabeji (left) meets Tunisia's Riahi Mohamed Amine (right) in the main fight of the January 24 Tunisia card.

AFBC STILL WOBBLING AS LUYOYO, BERHANU POWER STRUGGLE INTENSIFIES

A furious exchange of fire has once again erupted between the warring factions in the Africa Boxing Confederation (AFBC) with each group digging deeper in the trenches claiming leadership of the wobbling African boxing body.

The latest explosive exchange has been ignited by the January 24 professional boxing card to be staged in Tunisia organised by the group aligned to Congolese Boxing Federation President General Ferdinand Ilunga Luyoyo who insists he is the legitimate leader of AFBC.

But in a swift counter attack, the constitutionally-elected AFBC President Eyassu Berhanu has now taken the battle to Tunisia. An incensed Berhanu is firing on all cylinders.

In a letter to Tunisia’s Minister of Sport, Berhanu decsribed as illegal the Tunisia 10-bout card titled “Solidarity and Fraternity Boxing Gala” to be held at the Sidi Boussaid Gymnasium in the capital city, Tunis on January 24.

“I want to make it unequivocally clear the AFBC does not recognise or support any activities organised by General Luyoyo and his team as they operate outside the legal framework of our organisation,” said Berhanu in the letter to the Minister of Sport.

He went on: “We kindly request the Ministry of Sport to take immediate action to prevent any illegal boxing activities organised by General Luyoyo and his unauthorized team. The AFBC remains steadfast in maintaining the integrity of boxing in Africa and we appreciate your cooperation to ensure that only lawful and recognized activities are conducted in the name of sport.”

Berhanu has maintained he remains the President of the troubled African boxing body. The Secretary-General of the Luyoyo-led group, Andre Basile Kalong has dismissed Berhanu’s reaction as “kicks of a dying horse” and that his letter to the Tunisian government will be treated with the contempt it deserves.

“We’re surprised he has the audacity to write to the Tunisian government yet he is incapable of organizing any competition, he doesn’t have the power to write any letter because he’s no longer in charge of the African body,” said Andre, adding: “Eyassu came to power bragging he’s a billionaire but we’ve realised he has nothing, he has just been piggyback riding on tournaments funded by the IBA, even the head quarters in Addis Ababa is funded by the IBA, he is just a desperate opportunist.”

While the IBA has said Berhanu is the constitutionally-elected AFBC President, Basile differs.

Said Basile: “We have one AFBC which is headed by General Luyoyo. He received the mandate from the majority of African National Federations in Kinshasa and confirmed during the AFBC Extraordinary Congress in Dubai on 6 December 2024.

“General Luyoyo therefore remains AFBC Interim President and an experienced professional boxing promoter, he is the key organizer of the Tunisia card in collaboration with the host Tunisia Boxing Federation.”

It remains to be seen for how long this power struggle in AFBC will continue with the International Boxing Association (IBA) still mum in the wake of this bitter acrimony.

In the Tunisia card, three DR Congo Africa champions, female flyweight Nyembo Gisele, middleweight David Tshama and cruiserweight Pita Kabeji will feature in the Tunisia boxing show with Kabeji meeting Tunisia’s Riahi Mohammed Amine in a six-round cruiserweight main fight.

“All the fights will be six rounds of three minutes each for men and five rounds of two minutes for women,” said Basile.

The full Tunisia card is as follows:

48 kg Women :

Wafa Hafsi (Tunisia) vs Andriamiarisoa Miora Tina Karene (Madagascar)

52 kg Women :

Amel Chebbi (Tunisia) vs Nyembo Gisele (DRC)

57 kg Women :

Amal Mathloufi (Tunisia) vs Betist Josefien Angel (Sierra Leone)

60 kg Men:

Ngollo Ngassay Cheril Etienne (Congo) vs Mohamed Ben Mansour (Tunisia)

63.5 kg Men :

King Lucas Mwajobaga (Tanzania) vs Liduema Elder (Angola)

71 kg Men :

Clair Merven (Mauritius ) vs De Souza Kokou Vinyo (Togo)

71 kg Men :

Asim Dawku (Libya) vs Tshama David (DRC)

75 kg Men:

Ojok Alfred (Uganda) vs Hamza Ghazouani (Tunisia)

80 kg Men:

Youssef Rafrafi (Tunisia) vs Ngon a Ngon Brandone (Cameroon)

86 kg Men:

Pita Kabeji (DRC) vs Riahi Mohamed Amine (Tunisia)

AFRICA’S EMERGING STARS: Nigeria’s Mayowa Ayomide aka Azrael is one of the country’s most promising young boxers unearthed by the popular Yucateco Boxing League.

By
-
0
Nigeria's 17 year old minimumweight Mayowa Ayomide aka Azrael is unbeaten in the Yucateco Boxing League.

AFRICA’S EMERGING STARS: Nigeria’s Mayowa Ayomide aka Azrael is one of the country’s most promising young boxers unearthed by the popular Yucateco Boxing League.

The 17-year-old minimumweight Azrael is also among Africa’s Emerging Stars waiting on the wings to join Nigeria’s national team. She has so far won 18 fights and lost once in 2023 during the finals of Youth Games in Delta_ _State but she’s unbeaten in the Yucateco League. Azrael was interviewed by boxersworld.co.ke

Question: How have you benefitted from Yucateco League?
Answer: The league took my boxing career to a higher level and it has boosted my reflexes and overall boxing standard as well as
 Q: How has Yucateco League changed your life?
 A: Yucateco has really changed my life, Yucateco gave me independence like I earn monthly for myself, my boxing career has changed from good to better. I’m earning my own money and not reliant on my parents.
 Q:Tell me more on the league’s contribution to the development of boxing in Nigeria.
 A: The boxing league is an event that builds boxers for months, it is not a two or three weeks boxing event. It ensures every participating boxer has a match every two weeks and that helps to improve a boxer’s ability. Additionally, it gives opportunities to many talented boxers in the shrubs to come out and show the world what they can do. They don’t have to wait every two years for a national championship or festival to come up before the world can recognise them. The Yucateco league boxers are constantly in action with different opponents to gauge their strength. So the league is a great development for boxing in Nigeria.
 Q: Just imagine if it were not for Yucateco where would you be now?
 A: If it were not for Yucateco boxing league I would still be in the lower category of boxers but through the league I’ve known my abilities. I am now ready to challenge any boxer in Nigeria because the league has also given me more confidence.
 Q: Which year did you first get involved with boxing, and who influenced you?
 A: I got involved in boxing in the year 2009, my dad was the one who got me into the sport. I wouldn’t say I was influenced because I was very young then and I don’t even know what I was doing by then.
 Q: Is there any value in representing Nigeria’s national team?
 A: Yes there’s a great value in representing the Nigeria national boxing team. Imagine out of millions of people in the country you get to be the one person who has the chance to represent them while carrying the national flag, as the citizens look up to you to conquer the world. It’s a great feeling. The whole world would respect me and our family. Other countries will also recognise Nigeria. I have a burning desire to represent my country, that is a dream come true for me.

OLEKSANDR USYK HAS MADE HIS FINAL DECISION ON RETIREMENT AFTER HISTORIC TYSON FURY WINS

By
-
0

 

OLEKSANDR USYK HAS MADE HIS FINAL DECISION ON RETIREMENT AFTER HISTORIC TYSON FURY WINS

Oleksandr Usyk could hang up the gloves today and be considered both the best cruiserweight and heavyweight of a generation, as well as being in the conversation of all-time greats.

The Ukrainian cleared out a competitive division at 200 pounds before moving to heavyweight and dethroning Anthony Joshua for three of the four major belts.

After a stoppage win against young Daniel Dubois to defend his titles, Usyk entered an undisputed contest with Tyson Fury and defeated the giant Brit to become the first sole champion at heavyweight since Lennox Lewis. Usyk would win the rematch more conclusively.

Speaking to Froch on Fighting, Riyadh Season’s Turki Alalshikh – the man behind both Fury bouts – said he believes the next move for the Ukrainian great is a rematch with Dubois.

Dubois – who was elevated to full IBF World Champion last summer when Usyk vacated the belt – defends his title against Joseph Parker on February 22. Alalshikh told Froch that Usyk will have a keen eye on the contest.

Asked if the result between Dubois and Parker will determine whether or not he fights again, Alalshikh said that the unified champion has said he wants to fight once or twice more regardless.

 

DUBOIS RETAINS TITLE AS HEAD CLASH ENDS CAMARA BOUT IN DRAW

By
-
0

DUBOIS RETAINS TITLE AS HEAD CLASH ENDS CAMARA BOUT IN DRAW

British lightweight Caroline Dubois retained her WBC world title after her contest with Jessica Camara ended in a frustrating technical draw because of a clash of heads.

On her 24th birthday, Dubois dropped the challenger with a smart, straight left hand in the first round in Sheffield.

The Londoner sensed an early finish and continued to pile on the pressure in the second as blood flowed down from Camara’s left eye after the accidental coming together of heads.

The referee and ringside doctor waved off the contest before the third, ruling the 36-year-old Canadian – whose right eye was also heavily swollen – was not fit to continue.

“The blood wasn’t coming in her face, she didn’t want it,” said Dubois, who won her first 10 pro fights.

“It was either getting stopped by a doctor or I’m stopping it. I wish her well and hope she has a safe flight home.”

Dubois was upgraded from interim to full world champion after Katie Taylor vacated her belt. She has called for a unification fight with Doncaster’s WBO champion Terri Harper next.

Barnsley’s Callum Simpson defended his British and Commonwealth super-middleweight title with a second-round stoppage of Steed Woodall in the main event.

The 29-year-old Simpson sent Woodall to the canvas with a barrage of shots, before the referee intervened after another attack moments later, despite the protests of Woodall, 30.

The best female fighter on the planet- McGuigan

It has been quite the few months for the Dubois name. The Greenwich fighter’s estranged brother, Daniel Dubois, stopped Anthony Joshua in September to retain his world heavyweight title.

Long heralded as the future of women’s boxing, amateur standout Dubois – despite this draw with Camara – has done everything asked of her as a professional.

“She is the best female fighter on the planet by a mile,” said McGuigan.

Her boxing profile does not yet marry up with her abilities, however. Dubois’ record is void of that marquee opponent, one which could propel her stardom.

A unification contest with Harper or Brazil’s IBF champion Beatriz Ferreira would be a real step up, but both fights Dubois would be confident of winning.

Courtesy of BBC Sports.

DR. GABRIELE MARTELLI CALLS FOR COOPERATION BETWEEN COACHES AND OFFICIALS TO IMPROVE GLOBAL BOXING STANDARDS

By
-
0

January 10th, 2025 / IBA

International Boxing Association (IBA) Coaches Committee Chairman Dr. Gabriele Martelli has called for cooperation between coaches and officials to improve the quality of boxing worldwide and create agreeable criteria between members.

In an interview with IBA, Dr. Martelli said that from a coaching perspective there has to be more focus on educating the athlete on what the referees and judges are looking for, stating the standard is getting “higher and higher” in the sport which is “evolving constantly”.

‘Sometimes we are focusing on certain aspects that can make the vision of certain coaches a bit complicated, because what I try to explain to everybody that when a boxer is entering in the ring he is facing seven opponents, not one,’ he said.

‘Now, five judges, one referee and one opponent in the ring, now, the target of each fight is to win for everybody. The point that is missing is that we need to understand how the scoring criteria are working. Everyone is doing their best to improve the judging system, but all people have different views and a different mentality about boxing.’

Dr. Martelli addressed the variety of views on boxing that judges have when making decisions and they can be based on cultural differences in how they see what successful boxing is in various regions. Some countries at a local level would reward active boxing, while others are more lenient with passive fighters, providing they deliver quality throughout the bout. He sees this as an area where there has to be a consensus.

‘If we sit down in a room and we watch a fight, we will have many opinions,’ he said. ‘Not all the people will say the same thing, because everyone is looking from their perspectives. What is missing is we need to be on the same page, understanding what referees and judges are looking for according to the scoring criteria.’

‘I analysed it many times because I want my boxer to win. Not just to do the boxing that I want, because maybe that’s the only way that I can teach boxing. I need to be capable to shift and teach ways of fighting in order to win fights.’

He focuses on three principles to ensure, from a coaches’ perspective, that should be universally taught: behavior, procedures and rules.

Dr. Martelli sees behavior as the priority for coaches, asking them to lead by example in how they conduct themselves, saying that they are capable of “influencing” close verdicts if they negatively interact with officials. He also made the point that instilling politeness in athletes can only be a positive to improve their chances of winning.

‘The way we react even during losses is the way we teach to our boxers how to take a loss,’ he added. ‘It just teaches the kids that it’s right to react emotionally in a negative way, leaving a very bad remark in the mind of all the people. If the fight is close on criteria, what way do the judges go?’

He proposes that during coaches’ courses there be a combined training segment at national level in each country together with boxers, judges and referees where competition sparring is used to provide feedback to all involved to ensure the athletes are best educated for their bouts. He added that it will also teach officials what methods in boxing are trending in the gyms.

With procedures and rules, he calls on all coaches to remain adaptable to changes that are made – rather than being reactive, to instead be proactive. Instead of complaining, coaches would rather study the rules closely and take all responsibility to implement necessary changes for their boxers to comply with the rules.

‘There is not much understanding between coaches and referees and judges and their decisions because there is a wall. We need to break the wall, work together, understand what language we are speaking, and then we move forward as one sport.’

Martelli stressed that coaches were the “keepers of boxing”, and a workshop with officials will ensure – particularly with new rules regarding the removal of headguards for women – the correct training is applied for boxers affected by the change, and that there is a clear consensus on what officials are seeking in bouts.

‘If we make this workshop all together, we can truly, worldwide, improve,’ Dr. Martelli said. ‘So, we need to work to make sure that we try to have a sort of foundation of using the criteria.’

_____

Media contacts:

Elena Sobol, Head of Communications and PR, International Boxing Association: elena.sobol@iba.sport

AFRICA EMERGING STARS: Morocco’s Zoubaa Safaa was among the country’s latest revelation during last year’s season, and indeed one of Africa’s Emerging Stars

By
-
0
_Zoubaa Safaa (left) making her international debut during last year's World Youth Championships in Budva, Montenegro._

AFRICA’S EMERGING STARS: Morocco’s Zoubaa Safaa was among the country’s latest revelation during last year’s season, and indeed one of Africa’s: Emerging Stars looking ahead to the new 2025 season with a lot of hope to represent the national team in more international tournaments.

The lightweight sensation has all the qualities needed to become a world class boxer. She is positive, resilient, patient, courageous in the ring and passionate on boxing.

“I have loved boxing since I was young, it’s my eternal love, relaxes me and also keeps me away from indulging in unnecessary things in life and bad company, boxing runs in my blood.”

Watching her confidently responding to questions from the media would make you think she’s been in boxing for ages. And then there’s her elegance and pomp as she heads to the ring for her fights. She just radiates confidence and a self belief in her abilities as a good boxer standing on the threshold of boxing stardom.

Safaa started boxing at the age of 15 years at Saqr Al Fassi club under coach Hamza Edrifi but it was not until 2021 when she took boxing seriously at Fez Falcon Club.

With the boxing education she acquired from Hamza Edrifi, Safaa, who will celebrate her 18th birthday on February 17 this year, won the 2024 national championships at lightweight, earning her first call-up to the national team for the Youth World Championships in Budva, Montenegro.

The draws did not favour the young determined Safaa, for she was pitted against world junior champion from Ireland, Siofra Lawless who stopped her in the second round.

Safaa took the defeat by her stride and learned from her mistakes in her international debut.

“What I learned in my fight with the Irish boxer is next time I meet a tall boxer I should always keep the right distance and have a tight guard,” said Safaa.

“I also learned I should be the attacker always aggressive and use my footwork as much as possible. Even though I lost I’m proud of myself because I fought against a world champion more experienced than me, and I also picked up a lot of techniques and new styles watching other boxers in the ring. I can say being in Budva was in itself an achievement because I’m the Moroccan champion.”

Safaa is grateful to her coach Hamza Edrifi for instilling confidence and self belief in herself.

“I thank my coach Hamza, he has supported me throughout and worked hard to mould me into the boxer I am today, he has also taught me to be humble and from the beginning I learned boxing from him he taught me many techniques in boxing.”

“I’m aiming for the top, and win as many big titles as possible,” said the courageous rising boxing giant from the city of Fez in Morocco.

Like most of Morocco’s rising female boxers, Safaa’s idol is world heavyweight champion Khadija Mardi who has inspired many young girls in her country to take up boxing while others look upon her for motivation.

Mardi, who is also a three-time African champion, is Morocco’s most successful female boxer whom Safaa is aiming to emulate.

“Khadija Mardi is my role model, apart from being a good boxer I admire her perseverance. She has faced several difficulties in life and overcame them,” Safaa told boxersworld.co.ke in a telephone interview from Fez in Morocco.

“For instance, Khadija’s mum passed on when she was in the ring because of the shock of seeing her daughter fighting but she persevered and continued boxing, she’s a very strong boxer because if she was weak she would have given up.”

Safaa’s favourite food is chicken bastilla, a Moroccan dish which also inspires her a lot.

And what does she do when she’s not involved with boxing?

“When I’m not training I just love to take a rest, sleeping comfortably and be alone by myself to talk to my mind, I love swimming too, it’s my hobby.”

REGISTRATION OPENS FOR IBA WOMEN’S WORLD BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2025 IN Niš

By
-
0

REGISTRATION OPENS FOR IBA WOMEN’S WORLD BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2025 IN Niš

We are thrilled to officially announce that the 2025 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships will take place in the city of Niš, Serbia, from 8 to 17 March 2025, with the registration period now open until 20 February 2025.

This prestigious event is the female cornerstone of our sport, showcasing the incredible talent and determination of athletes from around the world. This competition is a chance to unite, inspire, and celebrate the power of women’s boxing on a global scale, and the IBA is calling on all our National Federations to participate to continue making this event a tremendous success.

IBA Secretary General and CEO, Chris Roberts OBE, said: ‘The IBA’s relationship with Serbia continues to be strong and we once again absolutely know that the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), under the direction of the Serbian Boxing Federation President, will deliver the highest standards they have shown in the past. With the 2021 IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships and the 2024 EUBC Men’s and Women’s European Boxing Championships both held successfully in Belgrade, we are sure our hosts will deliver a spectacular event in Niš. My thanks go to the Serbian Boxing Federation and those organizers for their work so far.’

Serbian Boxing Federation President Nenad Borovčanin added: ‘Serbia will once again be the global epicentre of boxing. After the spectacular IBA Men’s World Boxing Championship in 2021, which we organized at the Stark Arena and wrote the history of boxing by shaping the biggest championships in this sport ever, it is time for the task in which we expect to move those set limits to another level. There remain two months left until the start of the women’s edition, and in which over 500 female boxers from over 100 countries will participate in 13 weight categories.’

He went on to say, ‘We have started the organization deep in 2024, now we are entering the final stages and can proudly say that we are expecting the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships to be something that has never been seen before. With the registration starting, we expect a large number of boxers to come to the largest city of the southern part of Serbia from all aspects of the globe and to fight not only for medals and titles, but also for valuable prize money. Serbia continues to be a force in the organization of world sports events with decades of-long tradition, that confirms its place as a sports superpower.’

The registration period will remain open until 20 February 2025.

______________

Media contacts:

Elena Sobol, Head of Communications and PR, International Boxing Association: elena.sobol@iba.sport

1...666768...75Page 67 of 75

MOST COMMENTED

CONTACT US
all rights reserved- ©2024
Contact us: maria@boxersworld.co.ke
Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube

EVEN MORE NEWS

POPULAR CATEGORY

© powerd by 0720468087