RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s two pioneering professional boxers are determined to ensure that Friday’s historic bouts in Jeddah will not represent the pinnacle of their respective careers.
Zuhayr Al-Qahtani and Abdulfatah Julaidan both recorded resounding points’ victories on the undercard of Callum Smith’s knockout win over George Groves. It was an emotional night for the fighters, who each have strong ties to Jeddah.
Al-Qahtani was born in the city before moving to London at the age of 12, while Julaidan still resides in, and fights out of, the city.
They are a fascinating pair, who could not have more different personalities. Julaidan is calm and methodical — his 39 years of life experience making up for a lack of professional ring time.
Al-Qahtani, on the other hand, is a bundle of energy, with “Prince” Naseem Hamed-esque charisma both in and out of the ring. Unsurprisingly this has made the “Arabian Warrior” a Saudi Arabian media darling in recent days.
Despite their contrasting characters, the pair shared a common bond on Friday as they pulled off historic wins in front of a raucous King Abdullah Sports City arena.
And both are now refusing to rest on their laurels after experiencing a boxing high that few other fighters taste so early in their careers.
“I feel my body is good to continue,” Julaidan told Arab News.
“At my age I have to listen to my body. I’m 39 years old and it is not easy — but I still have the fire to go and put it all on the line.
“Of course I could just finish here at 2-0, but I still feel I can fight. I still have something to give. I’m not saying there will be a lengthy career but I don’t want to give it up yet.
“I will sit down with my coaches, who I thank from the bottom of my heart for the journey we have already been on, and we will decide what is best going forward.”
For now Julaidan very much deserves a rest. Incredibly, his victory over Martin Kabrhel in Jeddah came just two weeks after his first ever professional boxing bout, in the Netherlands. Trainer Nettles Nasser has guided that transition from the amateur ranks and agrees he still has a little more left to give.
“He was crazy to take this fight at such short notice but he has heart and this I admire so much. One or two more fights is all he needs. This is already a dream come true for him — he is inspiring people though boxing.
“I think there may be a couple more fights in the next year and, who knows, maybe another one back here in Jeddah in 12 months.”
Al-Qahtani would also love to return to Jeddah after a comfortable victory over British fighter Mohammad Mahmoud extended his professional record to 5-0.
The London-based fighter is keen to maintain the momentum created by the World Boxing Super Series and capitalize on his own growing profile by competing for a continental championship.
“God willing I’m hoping to fight for the Asian title,” Al-Qahtani told Arab News. “I’ll discuss with my team but I need a title and need it soon. I’m ready.
“I feel sure that this won’t be the last time I fight in front of my people and I know that I have what it takes to be a champion and have a championship fight back here in Jeddah. This is just the start for boxing in Saudi Arabia and I’m happy to be leading the way.”
Saudi Arabian boxers seek more bouts after Jeddah victories
Saudi Arabian boxers seek more bouts after Jeddah victories
Chelsea paid for costly errors in Arsenal defeat, says Rosenior
LONDON: Liam Rosenior admitted Chelsea paid the price for costly mistakes after Arsenal took advantage of his side’s blunders to win 3-2 in the League Cup semifinal first leg on Wednesday.
Rosenior’s team face a tough task to set up a final against either Manchester City or Newcastle following their error-strewn display in their new manager’s first home match.
Chelsea were guilty of sloppy marking for Ben White’s early headed opener before goalkeeper Robert Sanchez gifted striker Viktor Gyokeres Arsenal’s second goal after half-time.
Alejandro Garnacho got one back for Chelsea but Martin Zubimendi then netted for Arsenal after more lacklustre defending from Rosenior’s men.
Substitute Garnacho’s second goal gave Chelsea a glimmer of hope heading into the second leg at the Emirates Stadium in February.
“Disappointed to concede from a corner. Disappointed with the third goal as well because we were right back in the game and we were on top at that moment,” Rosenior said.
“We switched off from a restart from a central free-kick but I can’t fault the players.
“We need to make sure we perform well individually and we don’t concede as many goals.”
Rosenior was without a host of key players, including Cole Palmer, Reece James and Liam Delap, due to injuries and illness.
‘It’s another step’
In his second game since replacing Enzo Maresca as Blues boss, the 41-year-old took heart from the way Chelsea kept fighting to find a way back into the tie.
“We’ve had illness in the squad, we’ve picked up a few knocks this week but what the squad has shown is that they are willing to run and fight for each other,” he said.
Rosenior, who oversaw a 5-1 FA Cup third-round win at Charlton in his debut last weekend, refused to condemn Sanchez for the latest in a long line of shaky performances.
“Rob’s a very good goalkeeper. He made an outstanding save at 3-1 to keep us in the tie, so for me load of things to improve but the overall attitude of the team I liked,” Rosenior said.
“Hopefully, we get a few bodies back for Brentford on Saturday.”
Arsenal are now unbeaten in 10 games in all competitions as they moved a step closer to their first silverware since the 2020 FA Cup.
The Gunners had lost their previous four semifinals across a variety of competitions, including the League Cup last year.
Mikel Arteta was impressed with Arsenal’s ability to subdue Chelsea for long periods, but he was left to rue their failure to kill off their London rivals.
“I have to praise the players for the performance against a really good opponents. It’s a really tough place to come. That’s why I really value what the team has done again,” Arteta said.
“We had two massive chances to score the fourth one and the result would have been very different. At that moment they created a chance and scored a goal. So it is a very different feeling. It’s game on.”
As well as leading the Premier League, Arsenal are also still chasing Champions League and FA Cup glory.
But after so many last-four failures in the recent past, Arteta won’t take anything for granted.
“It’s another step. It’s just half-time. We know the big fight we are going to have at the Emirates in a few weeks because they are a top side,” he said.
“What we’re doing every three days is impressive.”
