Dubai is preparing for a massive boxing weekend as the promotion company BATL Promotions organizes a two-day event. It will feature both international stars and rising local talents, taking place at the Meydan hotel on September 18 and 19.
Saturday will be a turning point for UAE boxing with the participation of four professional boxers from the Emirates: Saif Alhaj, Ammar Tayel, Abdullah Marjan, and Amer Asouwaider. This event marks the largest showcase of local professional boxers in a single tournament, demonstrating the sport's development within the country.
The Saturday show will also feature former world champion James 'Jazz' Dickens, from Liverpool. He will face Ramadani Kimwaga from Tanzania. Dickens previously won the WBA Interleague title in super lightweight after defeating Albert Batyrgaziev in Istanbul in 2025, before losing to Anthony Kakase earlier this year.
The two-day boxing showcase begins on Friday with a card dedicated to athletes whose careers have developed thanks to the highly regarded UAE boxing scene. Participants include Amir Khan and Michael Ruiz, who will compete for continental WBC Asia titles. Rising Jordanian-Palestinian contender Asad Toukan will also fight for the WBC Asia Youth Champion title. Emirati boxer Ibrahim Yousif Al Ali, who has won nine out of ten of his bouts, will also take part in the events.
Jamie Cormack, founder of BATL Promotions, noted that the initial goal was not just to attract international fighters to Dubai for spectacular shows. He stated that they aimed to create a system that provides local athletes with a real path from amateur to professional championship boxing.
Cormack emphasized that the current weekend is a clear example of this concept being realized. The first night will feature fighters who have gone through the UAE amateur scene and are now competing for WBC titles. The following day will feature a card with a world champion, major international stars, and four professional boxers from the Emirates. He concluded: 'This is what progress looks like. We want young fighters training in gyms across the UAE to see these cards and understand that there is a place for them. There is a path, there are opportunities, and a stage awaits if they are willing to put in the effort.'
In addition to Dickens, undefeated super middleweight Pushpender Rati will also participate in Saturday's program, having defeated Geoffrey Muvonge in July, while Yan Zak will step into the ring aiming to capture WBC and WBA titles.
BATL Promotions is building its identity around creating opportunities for boxers from the UAE and the wider region while attracting international talent and recognized championship organizations to Dubai. Over the past two years, the organization has held 14 events in Dubai, drawing over 15,000 spectators.
