Qatar’s first professional boxer Sheikh Fahad bin Khalid bin Jassim al-Thani announced his participation in the Middle East Professional Boxing Championship, which the World Boxing Council (WBC) has created in its agenda for the region.
The pro boxing competition comprises eight rounds of three minutes each. 
Sheikh Fahad, who has been unbeaten in his 13-bout career so far, described his participation in the championship as “immensely significant”, particularly because it is considered his first step towards international participation in major cards.
Sheikh Fahad currently competes under a license from the Spanish pro boxing body and has said that he is seeking dates that do not clash with his bouts in Spain during the year.
The 32-year-old super welterweight boxer, who is coached by Franck Bohec, said that while participating in the championship was not initially a part of his programme, it was hard to ignore especially since it will give a huge fillip to his professional career, as he will be one of the very few Arab boxers in the championship.
Sheikh Fahad made a winning debut against Hungary’s Bela Sandor in May 2016. He has since beaten a string of Romanians — Adrian Parlogea (thrice), Gheorghe Ghiompirica (twice), Marius Racaru (twice), Bogheanu (twice), Marius Petre Sorin (twice) and Dumitru Nicu Manea.