Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Excitement continues to grow for Friday’s spectacular ‘Rising Stars’ event at the Conrad Hotel in Dubai, with the final press conference taking place on Thursday.
The event is promoted by Ahmed A. Seddiqi for D4G Promotions, and is sponsored by Hublot, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons & Kinetik. The event will be broadcast in the US on ESPN+, in Latin America on ESPN Knockout, and on IFL TV for the rest of the world, and can also be heard on radio with our partner Channel 4, on 104.8.
Extremely limited tickets for the event are still available and can be purchased by visiting dubai.platinumlist.net.
The massive card sees Dubai-based Hasibullah Ahmadi (12-0, 4 KOs) in the main event, as he faces Rauf Aghayev (31-10, 14 KOs) for the WBC Asian featherweight title, and Apichet Petchmanee (9-0, 2 KOs) and Phumiritdet Chonlathondamrongkun (7-0, 7 KOs) meet for the WBC Asia lightweight title.
Several proud Dubai residents will compete on the bill too, as Faizan Anwar (7-0, 4 KOs) goes up against Ricky Sismundo (35-15-3, 17 KOs), Bader Samreen (2-0, 2 KOs) takes on Sharobiddin Jurakhonov (2-3-1, 2 KOs), and Sultan Al Nuaimi (3-0, 2 KOs) shares the ring with Mishiko Shubitdze (17-18-3, 8 KOs). Khurshid Tojibayev (4-0, 2 KOs) rounds up the main card, as he faces Achiko Odizadze (22-17-1, 8 KOs).
On the undercard, Jamie King (1-0, 1 KO) fights Taryel Jafarov (7-2, 6 KOs), Ryan Aston (20-5-2, 8 KOs) squares off with Shalva Guchmazovi (3-6-2, 2 KOs), and Fahad Al Bloushi (4-1, 1 KO) meets Medi Miro (0-1).
All of the fighters, along with promoter Ahmed A. Seddiqi, had plenty to say at the final press conference, and you can find out everything you need to know below.
PROMOTER AHMED A. SEDDIQI: “This is a big event for us here in Dubai. Unfortunately we lost a couple of fights, but everything happens for a reason. This is Dubai’s Rising Stars, and 90% of the fighters on this card are Dubai-based.
“We’ve been working for many years on the promotion. We have a mix of regional titles, world titles, and the goal is to have a local UAE-based fighter fighting for a world title. That’s the dream. It takes time and hopefully that will come.
“This is a very big achievement for Dubai boxing to have an event live in the USA on ESPN+. We have two great title fights and we’re really excited.”
HASIBULLAH AHMADI: “I would like to thank my team Round 10 Boxing and D4G Promotions for this opportunity. I started my career here in Dubai and now I’m fighting for the first title in my career.
“I’m excited and this is very big for my country and for myself, soon we will fight for the world title here in Dubai. I’ve seen clips of my opponent. He has a lot of experience, but I will get the win.”
APICHET PETCHMANEE: “I’d like to thank D4G Promotions for the warm welcome I have received in Dubai. I enjoy being here. I’ve prepared a lot for this fight. I have aspirations to go on and win more titles, and become world champion.
“My experience definitely gives me the upper hand in this fight. I’m happy to have an up and coming fighter challenging me, and it will test me in my career.”
PHUMIRITDET CHONLATHONDAMRONGKUN: “I am excited to be here. I have a lot of knockouts on my record and I think that gives me an advantage. It offers me a great chance in this fight.”
FAIZAN ANWAR: “I’m very happy to be back here. Thank you to my team D4G Promotions for this opportunity. I have a lot of confidence as my last two fights were against two good fighters.
“I know my opponent has more experience than me, but this time I can show my skill and what I’m capable of. It will be a good fight.”
RICKY SISMUNDO: “Thank you to D4G Promotions for giving me a chance to fight here. On Friday I will show my skills and put on a good fight. Let the best man win.”
BADER SAMREEN: “I know what I’m capable of and I know the skills that I have all of the hard work I’ve put in the gym. I’ll be pushing my opponent all the way and I’ll get the win.”
SHAROBIDDIN JURAKHONOV: “I’ve been out of the ring a while because of COVID and a few others things, but now I’m back and I’m ready for fight night on Friday.”
KHURSHID TOJIBAEV: “Thank you for having me here and giving me this opportunity in Dubai. I have not fought for 18 months and I’m really excited to fight here. Thank you to my management MTK Global and I can’t wait to return.”
ACHIKO ODIKADZE: “Thank you so much for the invitation to Dubai. I am really grateful to be here and I am really looking forward to the fight on Friday.”
RYAN ASTON: “This has been a long time coming, there have been a few setbacks, but I’ve prepared well. I’m fit, strong and ready to box.
“I’ve seen enough of my opponent, he’s a good fighter, but it’s going to be nothing less than a win for me on fight night.”
SHALVA GUCHMAZOVI: “This is my second time in Dubai and it’s been a very warm welcome, so thank you for having me here. I am very confident of getting the win on fight night.”
JAMIE KING: “That was a great knockout last time and I was really happy with that, but he was a low level of opponent, so it’s the level of people I’ve sparred that gives me confidence.
“I have confidence in my power too, and now it’s about levelling up with my opponents and showing what I’m capable of. The past eight months have proven to me that consistency is key, so I just want to fight and train, and then everything will fall into place.
“I’ve linked up with Paul Weir recently who is a former two-weight world champion, and he’s been really helping to move my skillset forward.”
FAHAD AL BLOUSHI: “I’ve really worked hard to get to this stage of my career. Need to thank my teammates as well as we all push each other on. Can’t wait to fight on Friday and get in there and start working. I’ll get the win on fight night.”
SULTAN AL NUAIMI: “I’m excited, and it’s such a pleasure to be here. I’ll show my best. I believe in less words, more action. Bring on fight night.”
MISHIKO SHUBITIDZE: “Thank you so much for welcoming me to Dubai. This is my first time and I am really looking forward to the fight on Friday. I will put on the best show I can on fight night.”