We want Dubai to become fight capital of the world, says Probellum President Schaefer

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Boxing promotional company Probellum returns to Dubai for a two-night event featuring world title fights on both cards and a host of elite-level fighters from across the globe.

Probellum Evolution takes place at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on March 18 and 19, where fans in attendance will be able to watch the likes of Sunny Edwards, Regis Prograis, Muhammad Waseem, Tyrone McKenna, Bakhodir Jalolov and Estelle Mossely in action.

With hot prospects such as Bakhodir Jalolov, an Olympic gold medalist, Shabaz Masoud and Peter McGrail also competing, along with two talented Emirati fighters — Sultan Al Nuaimi and Fahad Al Bloushi — it promises to be a huge occasion in terms of the evolution of boxing in the UAE.

With such a top-ranked line-up, lot of fireworks are expected.

“We really want Dubai to become the fight capital of the world and that starts with putting together a mix of fights which are attractive to the fans and the international public as well,” said Richard Schaefer, President of Probellum.

On being asked why Probellum selected Dubai as the destination to host its first shows of 2022, Schaefer said: “We really like Dubai.  It is a very safe and clean environment. It’s one of the leading tourist destinations in the world, with an amazing infrastructure.
It has the best hotels, the best restaurants, and so the best of the best equals Dubai. Probellum believe that we are the ‘best of’ as well, so it’s the perfect fit.”

Probellum heads back to Dubai following its hugely successful inaugural event, which took place at the Coca-Cola Arena in December.
Probellum is starting 2022 by staging two shows on consecutive nights in Dubai.

“Initially we announced one show, but then we quickly saw the demand for that event and we decided that since we are already going to have our team in Dubai, why not add a second show?
As I call it, it's the one-two punch in the desert. Back-to-back shows like this is unprecedented. On March 18 you have a world title fight between IBO world lightweight champion Estelle Mossely and Yanina del Carmen Lescano.

It is the Middle East’s first-ever female world title fight, a historic moment and the kind of event that you want to be part of, where you can say: ‘You know what? When that happened, I was there and I saw it.'

“To be able to watch Estelle Mossely, who is one of the most gifted athletes irrespective of sport, is really a special treat. I've known Estelle going back to her gold medal days in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro and her skill level, in female boxing, is second to none.

She reminds me a little bit of a female version of Floyd Mayweather where the skills are just at a different level. As they say in boxing “skills pay the bills” and Estelle is certainly going to be able to pay her bills,” he added.

With the shows taking place over St Patrick’s Day weekend, there will be an Irish theme to proceedings and more of the country’s most impressive boxers.

“Because it’s St. Patrick's Day weekend, on both cards there will be a heavy, heavy twist towards featuring some of the best fighters from Ireland. We have Jono Carroll and Rohan Date in action on the Friday, followed by Tyrone McKenna and TJ Doheny on the Saturday.

“Over the course of the two cards there will be a total of 20 fights and it’s going to be a great event.”