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.


Hegerberg double sees Lyon past Wolfsburg in Champions League

Updated 8 sec ago
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Hegerberg double sees Lyon past Wolfsburg in Champions League

  • Lyon made it three wins from three with a 3-1 victory over Wolfsburg, star Norwegian striker Ada Hegerberg netting twice in the first half before Wendie Renard claimed a third from the penalty spot

PARIS: Lyon and Chelsea maintained their form in a bid for direct qualification for the quarter-finals of the women’s Champions League with dominant victories on Tuesday.
Lyon made it three wins from three with a 3-1 victory over Wolfsburg, star Norwegian striker Ada Hegerberg netting twice in the first half before Wendie Renard claimed a third from the penalty spot.
Dutch forward Lineth Beerensteyn claimed a consolation goal for Wolfsburg.
It seemed to have been set up as a good night all round for French clubs.
But there was heartbreak eight minutes into injury time as Real Madrid, through Caroline Weir, claimed a 1-1 draw with Paris FC, who had opened the scoring with a 41st-minute Lorena Azzaro penalty.
Like Lyon, Chelsea remained unbeaten, albeit with one draw in their opening three matches, following a 6-0 thrashing of pointless St. Polten of Austria.
Wieke Kaptein opened the scoring in the 13th minute before a quick-fire Catarina Macario double, including a 53rd penalty.
Sam Kerr, on her first start for Blues since December 2023, then claimed her own brace of goals either side of an own goal by St. Polten defender Lisa Ebert to make it six in a one-sided contest away from home.
In the early game, Valerenga, through Stine Brekken, snatched a 1-0 win over Roma, also without a point after three losses from their opening three games.