Zuhayr Al-Qahtani is a boxer with big ambitions, but the Jeddah-born southpaw has a small problem he needs to fix if he is to fulfil his dream of becoming a world champion — a quest for perfection that may take him to the US.
The unbeaten lightweight, Saudi Arabia’s only professional fighter, took his record to 4-0 earlier this month with a comfortable points win over England’s Dylan Draper, but the bout highlighted an ongoing dilemma for the Jeddah-born southpaw.
Al-Qahtani stands at just 5ft 6ins, which means the 29-year-old gives a significant height advantage to his opponents.
He combats that with his hand speed and rapid movement around the ring but, as the 5ft 10ins Draper showed at Bethnal Green’s York Hall, taller, slower fighters try to disrupt his rhythm by leaning over him and forcing a clinch.
Before his next fight, which he hopes will be in Jeddah on the undercard of the George Groves-Calum Smith bout announced yesterday, Al-Qahtani is working intensively with former British light middleweight Richard “The Secret” Williams at Miguel’s Boxing Gym in south
London on how to counter the tactic.
Al-Qahtani told Arab News: “In a lot of fights, they’re taller than me, so they just want to hold on to me. I always had it as an amateur, people would feel my punches and they just wanted to grab me. It clearly shows the individual and the kind of fighter they are.
“It’s a move to try to get you out of your comfort zone and rhythm. It becomes more of a chess game. It’s a technical thing, to get in and out quickly or, if he puts his weight on me, how I get out without using too much energy.
“I’m the one always being grabbed so I need to learn to get out quickly without getting frustrated and doing something silly.
“It’s about mastering the little basics. Boxing is an art, it’s not always about the quick knockouts, it’s a gradual thing about breaking the opponent down. Every fight I’m improving my intelligence and what I need to do to beat different opponents.”
Al-Qahtani’s desire for constant improvement also means he plans to spend significant time in the US to work with some of the world’s best trainers in honing his craft.
He has served all his boxing education in England but his wishlist of trainers feature Pedro Diaz, Virgil Hunter and Naazim Richardson, as he believes a visit stateside will help him reach the pinnacle of the sport.
Manny Pacquiao, Sergio Martinez and Vasyl Lomachenko are three of Al-Qahtani’s favorite fighters, and although the trio are not American, their time in the country helped them realize their potential.
With an undetermined fight scheduled for September and another likely in early 2019, Al-Qahtani is confident he can capture an Asian title in the next 12 months, elevating his status and giving him the chance to study new techniques in the US.
“Hopefully, after a few more fights I can go to (the US) and work with some world-class trainers who can bring the best out of me. I’m going to wait for my Asian title and then head (there),” Al-Qahtani said.
“America is the boxing hub. It’s the next step of achieving ultimate greatness. The best trainers, the best fighters — there will just be more opportunities to develop.”
The Draper bout also presented its own unique challenge for Al-Qahtani as a packed card by promoters MTK Global meant the Arabian Warrior did not get in the ring until 11:30 p.m. — more than four hours after he was due to appear.
Counting down the hours in his dressing room, Al-Qahtani tried to stay calm and focused, but admitted once the fight started he was so wound up by the delay, he came out swinging with emotion and did not box enough with his head.
“I was warming up, shadow boxing. I was impatient. I was getting into my zone, preparing, just remembering what I was doing this for,” he said.
“Every fight is nerve-wracking and to wait for more than four hours plays on your nerves. It was frustrating but the hungrier I am the more vicious I become. I just wanted to get in the ring and get it started.”
Keeping Draper penned in the corner or on the ropes, a first-round combination finished with an overhand left which opened a cut above his opponent’s eye and forced him further into his defensive shell.
Despite struggling with Al-Qahtani’s southpaw stance, the 36-year-old Englishman seemed content to stay on the backfoot and throw little in reply as the Saudi fighter’s frustration grew, even though he was well on top throughout the four-round contest.
“I need to work on not letting my emotions get the better of me, to stay cool. I would have been better had I not been angry,” Al-Qahtani said.
“Richard Williams was in my corner telling me, ‘your emotions are taking over, relax.’ The second and third rounds was when the work started and by the fourth round I was landing a few left hands and his eyes were rolling.
“But he kept grabbing me, not letting me finishing it. If I had another two rounds, I would have put him down.
“It’s very difficult to force a knockout in just four rounds. When it happens, either the guy is not a good fighter at all and doesn’t know what he’s doing or it’s just a case of a freak power-puncher like Mike Tyson.
“That’s why I need to start fighting over eight, 10 or 12 rounds. I like to break opponents down and that’s when you’ll see the best of me.”
What relaxed Al-Qahtani was the victory, as the referee raised “Triple Zee’s” left hand close to midnight following a dominant display. But his post-fight celebration also helped him unwind — not partying the night away, but the simple pleasures of a pizza and doughnut.
The strict training regime fighters undergo in the build-up to fights and the need to make weight means all treats have to be sacrificed in order to be in maximum condition; something Al-Qahtani admits is the hardest part of being a professional boxer.
“I got a pizza and a Krispy Kreme and munched them in my car. That pizza was so amazing. People won’t understand how good that tasted. It’s impossible to put into words.
“Before the fight I was on the train and trying to make weight, and there was a woman who offered her boyfriend a chocolate and he didn’t want it. I was sat there staring thinking, ‘you don’t understand what I’d do for a chocolate right now.’
“I was trying to make weight, I was so hungry and, man, I have such a sweet tooth — I love my milkshakes, I love my chocolate bars.
“The hardest thing about boxing is not the fighting part it’s making weight. You have to rid yourself of all the things you like to eat. It’s pure dedication.”
‘Arabian Warrior’ Zuhayr Al-Qahtani looking to train in the US as he plots path to the top
‘Arabian Warrior’ Zuhayr Al-Qahtani looking to train in the US as he plots path to the top
- Saudi Arabia's first professional boxer has sights set on US training and titles
- Al-Qahtani has hopes he might be on the undercard of the Groves-Smith fight set to take place in Jeddah in September
Al-Ahli survive first-half scare to cruise to victory and tie Al-Hilal at the top of Saudi Pro League
- Al-Ahli draw level with league leaders Al-Hilal on 53 points after trailing 1-0 down at half-time
- Al-Ettifaq and Al-Fateh play out seven-goal thriller in Dammam
DAMMAM: Matchday 23 kicked began with what ultimately became a comfortable victory for Al-Ahli over relegation-battling Al-Najma at home. However, the hosts endured a tough first 45 minutes, falling 1-0 behind and missing a penalty before scoring four in the second half against the 10-man visitors.
Al-Najma — fresh off their first victory in Saudi Pro League history when they beat Al-Kholood last week — arrived in Jeddah with confidence. Despite facing an in-form Al-Ahli, they controlled the tempo early on, forcing the hosts play on the back foot for much of the opening half hour.
The architect of Al-Najma’s bright start was Néstor El Maestro, returning to the Saudi Pro League for the first time in five years. After guiding the club to their first win in 21 matches, a result in Al-Ahli’s backyard would have provided the perfect reignite their survival bid.
El Maestro once said, “Life is too short to spend defending in a low block”, during his time at relegation-battling Göztepe in the Turkish Süper Lig in 2022. That philosophy defined Al-Najma’s bold approach against the reigning Asian Champions League Elite and Saudi Super Cup holders.
Initially, the strategy paid off. Davd Tijanić beat two Al-Ahli defenders with a deft move on the left flank in the 27th minute before releasing Lázaro, who finished past Édouard Mendy to hand the visitors a surprise lead.
Al-Ahli immediately pushed for an equaliser. Ivan Toney was brought down in the box in the 29th minute, only for the referee to wave away penalty appeals. Moments later, a handball inside Al-Najma’s area led to a lengthy VAR review and eventually a spot-kick for the hosts.
Toney, seeking his 21st goal of the campaign and boasting a perfect record from the spot for Al-Ahli, saw his penalty saved by Victor Braga. He pounced on the rebound, but Braga recovered to claim the ball and preserve the lead.
Braga continued to frustrate the hosts with several key saves before clashing into an opponent on the verge of half-time. The referee initially awarded a second penalty to Al-Ahli, but after a VAR review overturned the decision, Al-Najma went into the break still in front.
Al-Ahli knew a victory was essential on a pivotal weekend, with city rivals Al-Ittihad facing Al-Hilal in a clash that could influence the title race. Their response after the interval was swift, with Riyad Mahrez delivering a dipping cross that was met by Valentin Atangana, who headed in the equaliser.
Atangana was fouled ten minutes later, when Felippe Cardoso pushed him in the face. The Brazilian striker, already booked, received his marching orders from the referee.
With a numerical advantage, Al-Ahli asserted control. Roger Ibañez picked out Mahrez with a measured long pass over the top. The Algerian cushioned a first-time lay-off into Toney’s path, and the English striker finished clinically in the 69th minute.
Toney added his second of the evening — and 22nd of the season — in the 87th minute, meeting Matheus Gonçalves’ cross at the far post with a first-time finish. The Englishman completed his hat-trick in the fourth minute of stoppage time after Al-Najma conceded their second penalty of the night.
The win moves Al-Ahli level on points with Al-Hilal on 53 points, awaiting their game later this week. Meanwhile, El Maestro’s task with Al-Najma grows more difficult, as Al-Riyadh’s 2-0 victory over Al-Kholood in Qassim leaves Al-Najma eight points adrift of safety.
Elsewhere, Al-Ettifaq and Al-Fateh produced one of the season’s most entertaining encounters in an Eastern Province derby. Al-Ettifaq raced into a 3-0 lead inside 36 minutes, with goals from Khalid Al-Ghannam and Georginio Wijnaldum putting them firmly in control.
North African duo Mourad Batna and Sofiane Bendebka dragged Al-Fateh back into the contest with goals on either side of stoppage time in the first half. Madallah Al-Olayan restored Al-Ettifaq’s cushion in 48th minute, but Batna struck again in the 71st minute to set up a tense finale.
After seven goals in a back-and-forth thriller, Al-Ettifaq held on for a 4-3 victory in Dammam.
Saudi Pro League action resumes on Friday, with Al-Okhdood hosting Al-Qadsiah, Al-Taawoun welcoming Al-Fayha and Al-Shabab travelling to Khamis Mushait to face Damac. All games kick off at 10:00pm in the league’s unified Ramadan schedule.
