Qatar’s Sheikh Fahad bin Khalid al-Thani continued his unblemished record in pro boxing when he emerged victorious in his 11th straight bout in Leon, Spain, over the weekend.
The country’s first professional boxer went up against Romanian veteran Marius Petre Sorin on Saturday and picked up a technical knockout victory, his third in the Spanish province of Leon.
Having parted ways with Cuban coach Ismael Salas, Sheikh Fahad’s long-time trainer, Franck Bohec, was in his corner as the head coach for the first time.
“The fight was really good,” Sheikh Fahad told Gulf Times from Spain. “It was the first time for Franck to be in charge as the head coach, and I performed really well. We had worked on movements, foot placements, and everything came together in the bout.”
The bout was organised for a cause – one to support Spanish boxer Saul Tejada.
Tejada, a double Spanish champion, suffered a haemorrhage during his bantamweight title defence bout in October 2016, after which he was in coma for months fighting for his life. Many solidarity cards have been organised since with the proceeds going to the Leonese boxer and his family for his treatment as he recuperates.
Talking about his opponent, Sorin, who made his debut 22 years ago, Sheikh Fahad said, “He was experienced, slippery; I couldn’t land clean at the beginning.”
Sheikh Fahad added: “I didn’t really focus on power punches. I was just timing and dictating throughout and let the shots land.”
And land he did. In the second round of the super welterweight contest, Sheikh Fahad caught the Romanian orthodox, who was in action in Spain for the first time in his 47-bout career, with a quick left upper cut and his opponent was looking down the barrel.
“I followed it up with a body shot, and a slew of punches thereafter. Referee halted the contest, and while he got back up, the three knockdown rule came into play,” Sheikh Fahad said.
According to the rule, once the opponent has been knocked down thrice in a round, it’s over.
Two months from now, Sheikh Fahad will be in the Spanish capital of Madrid for his third bout this year, having already beaten a Romanian southpaw, Marius Racaru, in March in Valladolid, Spain.
Sheikh Fahad made a winning debut against Hungary’s Bela Sandor in May 2016.
He has since beaten a string of Romanians, including Adrian Parlogea (thrice), Gheorghe Ghiompirica (twice), Racaru (twice) Ionut Bogheanu and Dumitru Nicu Manea.
Qatar’s Sheikh Fahad bin Khalid al-Thani (left) in action against Marius Petre of Romania during their super welterweight bout in Spain.
