Sport fanatics are in for a knockout charity boxing event in the kingdom early next month that aims to strengthen bilateral relations between Bahrain and the UK, as well as inspire a new generation of boxers.
The Royal Rumble Charity Boxing Dinner, which will take place at the Bahrain Rugby Football Club (BRFC) on Friday, February 4, is being held under the patronage of Supreme Council for Youth and Sport first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, in partnership with the Bahrain Boxing Federation, to showcase the sport on a spectacular stage, as well as to raise funds for good causes.
“We are delighted and honoured to be hosting the Royal Rumble inspired by His Highness Shaikh Khalid who will be attending as our VIP guest and patron of the event,” said BRFC chairman Mike Cunningham. “We’re expecting a fantastic evening of boxing and entertainment through which we can support the important work of local charitable causes.
“This event is also a great opportunity for us to support the growth and development of the young athletes of Bahrain and the Bahrain Boxing Federation.”
The black-tie event will see the BDF’s Royal Guard go up against the British Army’s Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in 10 bouts of boxing to an audience of around 300 guests.
The Royal Guard Team, which is currently made up of three female boxers and 10 male boxers, has been training hard since November 1 last year under the guidance of Bahrain’s technical development manager and national boxing coach, Tony Davis, alongside assistant coaches Jassim Darwish and Mohammed Naseem.
“We are using the vehicle of sport to bring both countries together to learn from one another and to develop our boxers,” said Davis, who is a former England team captain international boxer and one-time army boxing team head trainer that was also part of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
“We would like to see this as an annual event so we have one here and then where the Fusiliers are next year.”
Davis’s former teammate Darren Barker, who is the 2013 IBF Middleweight Champion who also held multiple titles including the Commonwealth title from 2007 to 2009, the British title in 2009 and the European title from 2010 to 2011, will be one of the big names that will be attending the event. Former undisputed World Super Middleweight Champion Joe Calzaghe will also be at the dinner meeting fans and signing autographs.
He is the longest-reigning super-middleweight world champion in boxing history, having held the WBO title for more than 10 years and defending the title against 20 opponents before moving up to light-heavyweight. As his super-middleweight and light-heavyweight reigns overlapped, Calzaghe retired with the longest continual time as world champion of any active boxer at the time.
“I’m very fortunate to know some great people in the sport that have given me so much,” added Davis. “Having them with us is immense because it not only brings huge kudos to the event but also to Bahrain. These guys are really looking forward to coming out and having them here will motivate and inspire the boxers of today, as well as of the next generation.
“Within this event, we will also make historical achievements by having Saudi Arabian women boxers competing against our Bahraini women. That will be the first bout to start the event.
“There are big things ahead for Saudi Arabia too as we collaborate and develop the sport across the region. Essentially, Saudi Arabia came to me and said they want to mimic what Bahrain has done in boxing, which has been amazing. The fact we reached the Olympics is monumental.”
The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, which Davis says is ‘probably the best’ infantry regiment for boxing in the British Army, rivalled only by The Parachute Regiment when it comes to prowess in the ring, will be touching down in the kingdom tomorrow to build up training and acclimatisation before the event.
“I think this will be great for both teams in terms of development and they will be well matched to a degree,” said Davis. “I think this will be fantastic event and it’s also my way of giving something back to these young soldiers.”
Bahrain national boxing team captain and Royal Guard team captain, Ali Al Aradi, 21, is looking forward to representing the Royal Guard in the ring.
“This is a new type of event for me, especially competing against the British army,” said the 21-year-old Bahrain Polytechnic marketing student from Hamad Town. He has been boxing since 2013 and started taking the sport seriously in 2016. After being selected to join the national squad, he has bagged medal-after-medal both locally and internationally.
“All I know about my competition is that he weighs in at 68kg and I stand at 70kg,” Al Aradi added. “My message to all of those that are coming is to simply enjoy it. This is the first of its kind event!”
According to assistant coach Naseem, the Royal Guard team is still open to more boxers in a bid to find the best in Bahrain.
Meanwhile, Bahraini boxer Maryam Jassim, 27, is also ‘excited, delighted and determined’ and the BDF employee will be first in the ring hoping to give the kingdom a winning start.
The Royal Rumble Charity Dinner, which is supported by Gulf Air, will start at 6.30pm with a reception, a four-course meal, the much-anticipated boxing bouts, as well as a charity auction.
BRFC members will also be able to watch the weigh-in and introduction of the teams by Calzaghe and Barker in The BRFC Garden on February 3, the day before the right royal rumble.
Email royalrumble@bahrainrfc.com, for more details.
Mai.alkhatib@gulfweekly.com
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