Dubai set for WBC Middle East world title bout at Purse on the Palm

Purse on the Palm will take place in Dubai on Sept. 20. (Supplied)
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Updated 15 September 2025
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Dubai set for WBC Middle East world title bout at Purse on the Palm

  • Brit Anees Taj takes on Egypt’s Wagdy Attia in the show’s main event on Sept. 20
  • Event will feature seven professional bouts and an amateur prize fighter tournament with cash prizes

DUBAI: Dubai will host Purse on the Palm on Sept. 20, with the main event featuring a WBC Middle East title bout and a prize fighter tournament where the winner will walk away with almost $5,500.

The event, staged by Grassroots Boxing, takes place at W Dubai and features a card that includes established fighters as well emerging talent from the region.

In the night’s main event, for the WBC Middle East title, the UK’s Anees Taj (10-5) takes on Egypt’s Wagdy Attia (12-2) in what promises to be a thrilling contest.

Taj, 29, goes into the bout having won his past three fights, most recently against compatriot Phil Williams in November 2024.

Attia, meanwhile, has lost just once in his previous nine encounters, with the 30-year-old overcoming fellow countryman, Mohamed Gaabary, last time out.

Jamie Cormack, head of Grassroots Boxing, said: “Purse on the Palm is set to be an electrifying new addition to the boxing calendar, an experience that brings together die-hard fans and casual spectators for a Saturday filled with sport and entertainment.

“Unlike traditional fight nights, the action kicks off in the afternoon, with guests able to enjoy premium brunch packages as the bouts unfold.

“The WBC Middle East title clash between Anees Taj and Wagdy Attia is not to be missed, while the high-stakes prize fighter tournament, with cash on the line, will have the crowd on the edge of their seats from the first bell.”

The card will also feature unbeaten Dubai-based fighter Mikael Husain (8-0), backed by Hamza Sheeraz, who achieved a victory over Edgar Berlanga in New York recently.

Sheeraz will be at Purse on the Palm, along with world champion Jazza Dickens, who produced a career-best performance to stun Albert Batyrgaziev via fourth-round knockout in July.

The prize fighter tournament will feature eight amateur boxers battling it out to walk off with almost $5,500, while the beaten finalist will pocket $2,700. Knockout bonuses are on offer in every contest.

Fights will be judged by three commission judges, along with three current or former world champions.


McIlory calls for Australian Open rescheduling in bid to lure stronger field

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McIlory calls for Australian Open rescheduling in bid to lure stronger field

  • The Northern Irishman, who completed a career grand slam this year when he won the US Masters, was one of the main draws at Royal Melbourne this week
Rory McIlroy, the world’s second-ranked golfer, has called on organizers of the Australian Open to reschedule the event in an effort to attract a stronger international field to the tournament in the future.
The Northern Irishman, who completed a career grand slam this year when he won the US Masters, was one of the main draws at Royal Melbourne this week and finished in a tie for 14th, eight shots behind winner Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
“I’ve been excited to come back down here for a while, it’s been over 10 years since I played in the Australian Open,” McIlroy said after his final round.
“This is a golf tournament that has got so much potential and I think it showed a little bit of that this week. There’s still a ways to go.
“I would love to have a few more players come down and play. But it’s hard. There’s three tournaments going on in the schedule this week.
“There needs to be conversations had with people much more important than me that set the schedules and do all that sort of stuff.
“Hopefully the Australian Open can find a date that accommodates everyone and everyone can at least have the option to come down and play.”
The tournament marked the end of a stellar season for the 36-year-old.
In addition to his long-awaited Masters success, McIlroy won a seventh Race to Dubai title plus the Irish Open and was a member of the European team that successfully defended the Ryder Cup in the US in September.
“I’m looking forward to a little break,” he said. “I played a pretty heavy schedule post the summer, with the Irish Open, then the Ryder Cup and then I’ve been globetrotting all over the last couple of months.”
“I’m excited to have little bit of downtime, finally reflect on everything, maybe watch a few of the tournaments back. I’ve not really let myself do that too much.”
“Looking forward to the Christmas break and put the feet up, a few glasses of wine and think back on about what an unbelievable year it’s been.”