The Middle East Professional Boxing (MEPB) commission has emerged as a formidable force in the global boxing arena, working diligently behind the scenes to position Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) and the United Arab Emirates (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) as premier destinations for the sport. Traditionally dominated by Las Vegas and New York City, the global boxing stage is now witnessing the rise of the Middle East as a new epicenter of the “Sweet Science.”
In recent years, the Middle East has not only hosted some of the most lucrative pay-per-view boxing events but has also been instrumental in nurturing Arab boxing talent. This effort is part of a broader vision to eventually crown the first Arab professional boxing champion of the world. Under the leadership of Jose Mohan, MEPB is playing a critical role in realizing this vision, steering the region’s development as the future face of professional boxing.
“We are incredibly proud of several achievements, including our role as the main commission for an historic moment—the undisputed heavyweight title fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury in Riyadh, the biggest fight of this century,” said Mohan. “We’ve now sanctioned more than 100 shows, demonstrating our rapid growth and impact in the region. We’ve become the first regional organization to independently sanction shows, eliminating the need for foreign commissions. Additionally, we’ve played a key role in commissioning major events like the Anthony Joshua vs. Oleksandr Usyk and Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury fights.”
Mohan attributes the success of boxing in the Middle East to strategic foresight and a deep understanding of the sport’s potential in the region. “There were several boxing promoters in the region over the past five or six years paving the path for boxing. Then MEPB started commissioning fights, including world title bouts and regional championships, which helped establish our credibility and expertise,” Mohan explained. The region’s governments, particularly through Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s focus on sports, have also played a pivotal role by using boxing as a tool for development.
Boxing, once relatively unknown in the region, has grown exponentially thanks to MEPB’s tireless efforts. Over the past decade, the commission has invested millions of dollars and commissioned more than 100 shows. “MEPB’s creation was driven by necessity,” Mohan noted. “The region lacked a local boxing commission, which hindered event organization and fighter participation. We addressed this by bringing in experts to train our local team and investing significant time, effort, and finances.”
As boxing continues to gain popularity in the Middle East, MEPB is witnessing growth on two fronts. In Saudi Arabia, the focus is on hosting super fights—major international boxing events that attract global attention. Meanwhile, in Abu Dhabi, the emphasis is on building grassroots boxing programs that are crucial for developing local talent and creating a sustainable boxing ecosystem.
In addition to branding the Middle East as an emerging power in boxing, MEPB is heavily involved in the Rising Stars series, which spotlights rapidly developing Arab boxers. This platform is essential for the growth of boxing throughout the region. “The goal is to see Arab boxers headlining main events in Arabic countries,” said Mohan. “With 500 million people in the Middle East and North Africa, we believe one star could gain millions of supporters.”
MEPB’s short-term goals include strengthening the boxing ecosystem by training additional ring doctors and officials, generating awareness about the sport, and encouraging more youth to take up boxing professionally or for fitness. Long-term, the commission aims to cultivate more regional promoters, managers, and coaches who understand both the sport and the business. MEPB also plans to educate the public about boxing safety and produce world-class referees, judges, and promoters from the region, with the ultimate goal of crowning the first Arab world champion.
“Our ultimate target is to have an Arab world champion,” Mohan concluded. “It’s the reason for the investments in super fights in Saudi Arabia and grassroots boxing in Abu Dhabi. We have a realistic 3 to 5-year plan to achieve this, and we are confident that the progress we’re seeing in the region will soon turn into reality.”
Several Arab boxers, including Moroccan super featherweight Moussa Gholam, Jordanian lightweight Bader Al-Dherat, UAE super flyweight Sultan Al Nuaimi, and super featherweight Fahad Al Bloushi, are on the verge of breaking into the top 15 rankings of major sanctioning bodies. This milestone not only signifies the rising quality of regional talent but also brings MEPB closer to its goal of having a regional talent headline a major event in a stadium in Riyadh or Abu Dhabi.
As boxing continues to evolve in the Middle East, the MEPB is playing a significant role in shaping its future, driving the region closer to becoming a global powerhouse in the sport.
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