19.2.2005: With the main event almost not happening, due to lack of opposition for local star Ahmed “The Riot” Mustafa, promoter Richard Nwoba was thrilled to come out well of his February 17 promotion at the Zamalek Club Basketball Court in Giza, Egypt. Mustafa is now undefeated in eight professional fights (8-0, 6 KOs), but his win was of a modest calibre since the opponent, Hemdy Metualy, was making his professional debut.. But, an easy fight is better than no fight at all! Metualy had agreed to the fight less than 24 hours before the first bell, and was, with all due respect, only a last resort.
Mustafa boxed in his usual come-forward aggressive style, and Metualy didn’t do too badly in the first three minutes. But already in the second the pressure had become too much, and he started taking many hard, clean shots to both head and body. Eventually it became too much to witness for Metualy´s trainer, and he surrendered for his man. The referee waved it off officially at one minute and 59 seconds of the round.
Next up for Mustafa, who already holds the lightly regarded WBB crown, is a rematch with old foe Rahmadan Mahmoud (4-1), whom he will square off with on March 3 for the vacant Egyptian light middleweight title. This will be The Riot’s second scheduled twelve-rounder in only nine fights, and he is hoping to soon be able to travel to Europe for more meaningful bouts. The domestic competition in Egypt is simply running out.
The undercard saw cruiserweight Khaled Abdu Hamid stay undefeated at 4-0 with a six-round majority decision over another debutant: Mohamed Abdufatou. The close fight was scored 60-58, 59-58 and 58-58 by the judges, but to most people there was no doubt that Hamid deserved the nod. The winner has yet to score his first stoppage as a pro, but he possess fine boxing ability, and could be interesting to follow in the future providing he can stay active.
Light welterweight Tarek Ablazim also remained undefeated (4-0, 2 KOs), but was also forced to settle with a majority verdict against David Keju of Sudan. Keju claims several fights in his home-country, but could show no record to the organizers or commission. Scores of this six-rounder was 60-57, 59-57 and 59-59.
Also at light welter, Mohamed Abdu Rizk put some balance into his record after loosing his pro debut last October, as he convincingly outscored Sayed El Awody over six rounds. Rizk was just the better man, but Awody never stopped trying although it was to no avail. Scores were 60-56, 60-56 and 60-57. El Awody drops to 1-3 (1).
Promising super bantamweight Ibrahim Mostafa had a rocky start to his paid career, and went 1-2-2 in his first five outings, but it now seems as if he has found the right tune, and he clearly outpointed Ramadan Awod over six by scores of 60-54, 60-54 and 60-55. This was his fourth straight victory, and he is now 5-2-2 (2), while Awod goes to 0-4.
Ibrahim Saed beat Gharip Abdunabi by unanimous decision (60-58, 60-58 & 60-57) in a good scrap made at super featherweight. The winner went to 4-0 (1), and the losers unconfirmed record dips to 0-2.