ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (March 3, 2024) – Arab boxing power was on display today as Moroccan super featherweight Jaouad “The Moroccan Bomber” Belmehdi (20-1-3, 9 KOs) defeated previously undefeated Ghanian Alfred Lamptey (13-1, 9 KOs) in the main event of the third edition of “Rising Stars Arabia,” which showcases rapidly developing Arab boxers on a worldwide platform.

The Rising Stars Arabia (RSA) series, the first of its kind in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, is sanctioned by the Middle East Professional Boxing Commission.

“Rising Stars Arabia 3” was streamed live on DAZN and ESPN Knockout, outdoors from the picturesque Yas Links Golf Course in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

In a wonderfully matched, entertaining main event, 25-year-old Belmehdi, a former French Lightweight Champion, won his fourth fight in a row by way of a 10-round split decision (96-94, 96-94, 93-97) in a back-and-forth, legitimate Fight of the Year candidate. Belmehdi defeated Lamptey, 21, a former World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth Silver, World Boxing Organization (WBO) Youth and Ghana super featherweight champion.

Hometown Hero Al Bloushi Extends His Win Streak in Co-Main Event

In the co-main event, hometown favorite Fahad “Kid Emirati” Al Bloushi (14-1, 3 KOs) – the most experienced United Arab Emirates (UAE) pro boxer of all-time – extended his win streak to 13, taking a hard-fought eight-round decision over Venezuelan lightweight Andres Garcia (14-8-1, 11 KOs).

Another terrific UAE prospect, super flyweight Sultan Al Nuaimi (11-0, 7 KOs) stopped Venezuelan Eliu Canario (14-4, 11 KOs) in the fifth round in another spectacular performance in front of enthused local boxing fans.

Iraq’s light heavyweight prospect Amer Kadhum Ghaneem (3-0-1, 1 KO) suffered the first blemish on his pro record, fighting Russian Kharon Zapolsky (3-1-1, 1 KO) to a six-round majority draw.

Ugandan welterweight Isaac Zebra, Jr. (3-0, 3 KOs) knocked out Ahmed Saad (4-3, 1 KO) in the opening round of their scheduled six-round bout.

Undefeated Indian welterweight Faizan Anwar (17-0, 9 KOs) registered a somewhat surprising opening-round knockout of former Egyptian Super Welterweight Champion Abdumonem “Braveheart” Saad (23-4-1, 11 KOs).

Egyptian cruiserweight Youssef Karrar (4-0, 3 KOs) recorded a third-round technical knockout over late replacement Yusuf Kizito (0-1), of Uganda, while Egyptian featherweight Mostafa Mohammed Fahmi Komsan (2-0, 1 KO) edged Guan Mu (1-3-1, 0 KOs), of China, by way of a six-round majority decision.

Also fighting on the undercard, Morocco welterweight Anas Hafiane improved to 3-0 with his second knockout, blasting out overmatched  Sajan Greece Makesh Daisy (0-3), of India, in round one, and previously undefeated United Arab Emirates super middleweight Fahad Alkhoori (3-1, 3 KOs) was upset by Ariemba Isalah Odhiambo (2-4, 0 KOs), of Kenya, who took a four-round majority decision

In the opener, pro-debuting Syrian heavyweight Kenan Marai (1-0, 1 KO) knocked out the Congo’s Eureka Mwamba Kabeya (0-2) at the end of the first round

“Rising Stars Arabia 3” was promoted by AAM Seddiqi Sports and hosted in Abu Dhabi in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.

AAM Seddiqi Sports has been promoting and managing fighters in the region for 10 years and it has a growing stable of more than 30 gifted regional and global talents. Its events include five world title shows that have been broadcasted globally on ESPN, Sky Sports, and other major networks.

Complete results below:

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OFFICIAL RESULTS

MAIN EVENT – SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS

Jaouad Belmehdi (20-1-3, 9 KOs), Morocco

WDEC10 (96-94, 96-94, 93-97)

Alfred Lamptey (13-1, 9 KOs), Ghana

CO-FEATURE – LIGHTWEIGHTS

Fahad Al Bloushi (14-1, 3 KOs), United Arab Emirates

WDEC8 (78-76, 78-76, 77-75)

Andres Garcia (14-8-1, 11 KOs), Venezuela

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Kenan Marai (1-0,1 KO), Syria

WTKO1 (3 :00)

Eureka Mwamba Kabeya (0-2), Congo

CRUISERWEIGHTS

Youssef Karrar (3-0, 2 KOs), Egypt

WTKO3 (1:55)

Yusuf Kizito (0-1), Uganda

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Amer Kadhum Ghaneem (3-0-1, 1 KO), Iraq

D6 (58-56, 57-57-, 57-57)

Kharon Zapolsky (3-1-1, 1 KO), Russia

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Ariemba Odhiambo (2-4 (0 KOs)

WDEC4

Fahad Alkhoori (3-1, 3 KOs), United Arab Emirates

SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS

Isaac Zebra, Jr. (3-0, 3 KOs), Uganda

WTKO1 (2:34)

Ahmed Saad (4-3, 1 KO), Egypt

WELTERWEIGHTS

Faizan Anwar (17-0, 9 KOs), India

WTKO1 (2:34)

Abdumonem Said (23-4-1, 11 KOs), Egypt

Anas Hafiane (3-0, 2 KOs), Morocco

WTKO1 (0:37)

Sajan Greece Makesh Daisy (0-3), India

FEATHERWEIGHTS

Mostafa Mohammed Fahmi Komsan (1-1, 1 KO), Egypt

WDEC4

Guanlin Mu (1-3-1, 0 KOs), China

SUPER FLYWEIGHTS

Sultan Al Nuami (11-0, 7 KOs), United Arab Emirates

WKO5 (1:46)

Eliu Canario (14-4, 11 KOs), Venezuela

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#InAbuDhabi 

#RisingStarsArabia3

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About Rising Stars Arabia

Presenting Rising Stars Arabia (RSA) – A fighting series promoted by AAM Seddiqi Sports and powered by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). This marks a notable series within the UAE and the wider MENA region. This platform, humble in its intentions yet ambitious in its scope, provides aspiring Arab athletes with a unique opportunity to showcase their talents before regional and international audiences.

This significant initiative, grounded in the values of nurturing homegrown and regional talent, represents an important leap towards evolving professional boxing within the region. By doing so, it empowers an emerging generation of athletes with genuine opportunities right at their doorstep – eliminating the need to seek participation abroad.

About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors, fuelling economic progress and helping to achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions. By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies, and systems to support the culture, creative and tourism industries.

DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage, and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives, and creative thought.

Chantelle Cameron won the undisputed Super Lightweight Title with a 10 round unanimous decision over Jessica McCaskill.

Cameron of Northampton, ENG won by scores of 97-93 and 96-94 twice and is now 17-0. McCaskill of Chicago is 12-3.

Shavkhatdzhon Rakhimov won the vacant IBF Super Featherweight title with a ninth round stoppage over Zelfa Barrett.

In round three, Barrett landed a big right hand that drove Rakhimov into the ropes for a knockdown.

In round nine, Rakhimov started walking down and landing hard punches on Barrett until he put Barrett on the deck. Barrett clearly had a issue with his leg, and Rakhimov just started unloading on his prey. The onslaught continued until another flurry sent Barrett to the canvas, and the fight was stopped at

Rakhimov of Boktar, TAJ is 17-0-1 with 14 knockouts. Barrett of Manchester, ENG is 26-2.

Galal Yafai eked out a 10-round split decision over Gohan Rodriguez Garcia in a flyweight bout.

Yafai of Birmingham, ENG won by scores of 96-94, 96-95 and Garcia won a card 96-95.

Yafai is 3-0. Garcia of Gomez Palacio, MEX is 12-2-1.

John Lawrence Ordonio won a four-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Majid Al Naqbi in a super lightweight fight.

Ordonio of San Fernando City, PHL won by scores of 40-36 twice and 39-37 and is now 8-4-1. Al Naqbi of Dubai, UAE is 7-1.

Former world champion Khalid Yafai survived an early knockdown to win a thin 10-round unanimous decision over Jerald Paclar in a bantamweight bout.

In round one, Paclar dropped Yafai with a short right to the jaw.

Yafai of Birmingham, ENG won by scores of 96-93 twice and 95-94 and is now 27-1. Paclar of Cebu City, PHL is 16-6-3.

Sultan Al Nuaimi remained undefeated by stopping Sohaib Haque in round seven of a scheduled eight-round bantamweight bout.

The time of the stoppage was 2:26 for Al Nuaimi of Dubai who is now 9-0 with six knockouts. Haque of Calcutta, IND is 4-3.

Aqib Fiaz remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Diego Valtierra in a lightweight contest.

Fiaz of Oldham, ENG won by scores of 80-72 twice and 79-73 and is now 10-0. Valtierra of Algortal, SPA is 6-6-2.

Campbell Hatton remained undefeated with a first round stoppage over Denis Bartos in a six-round lightweight bout.

In round one, Campbell put Bartos down with a double right hand to the body. Hatton ended things seconds later by landing a left to the body that put Bartos down for the 10-count at 1:44.

Hatton of Hyde, ENG is 9-0 with three knockouts. Bartos of Rakovnik, CZE is 9-6.

Fahad Al Bloushi won a six-round unanimous decision over Irakli Shariashvili in a lightweight fight.

Al Bloushi of Dubai, UAE won by scores of 60-54 and 59-55 twice and is now 11-1. Shariashvili of Rustavi, GEO is 7-13-1.