DOHA, 14 OCTOBER 2015: Morrocco’s AFBC Champion Mohammed Rabii was named WSB’s boxer of the year last night after an undefeated season which he will be looking to round off with AIBA World Boxing Championship gold on Thursday evening against Daniyar Yeleussinov of Kazakhstan.
Other award winners included Cuba’s Julio La Cruz, who was crowned Boxer of the Year after a phenomenal 2015 that saw him win both the World Series of Boxing and the PanAmerican Games. The light heavyweight could still add World Champion to the list when he faces Ireland’s Joe Ward on Thursday night in the final in Doha.
Yousuf Ali Al Kazim, President of the Qatar Boxing Federation and Executive Director of the LOC in association with Qatar Olympic Committee, was also given an award for his hard work in bringing world boxing’s signature event to the Middle East for the first time. The award was handed over by AIBA President Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu.
Shortly after, the roles had changed as Al Kazim gave out an award to Dr. Wu for the guidance and support from AIBA throughout the World Boxing Championships in Doha, while boxing legend Amir Khan also was given an award for his long-standing contribution for the boxing sport.
“It’s always nice to recognize the fine athletes that grace this wonderful sport, and I found it particularly touching to see an Arab boxer winning one of the most prestigious awards of the night. AIBA has done a tremendous job in uniting the global boxing sport, and award ceremonies such as this is a fabulous way to encourage athletes, coaches and technical officials to keep improving and developing,” Al Kazim said.
The last day of competition is tonight (15 October) at 7pm at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena in Al Sadd, Doha.
