Ahmed Seddiqi's Boxing Mission

Ahmed Seddiqi has been pivotal in advancing professional boxing in the Middle East for more than ten years, working as a gym owner, promoter, and manager.

He currently leads Rising Stars Arabia, a promotional organization designed to offer fighters from the area a platform to grow and achieve stardom.

Seddiqi and his team were trailblazers in the Middle Eastern boxing scene, establishing their inaugural gym, Round 10 Boxing Gym, named in tribute to the iconic 10th round of the Diego Corrales-Jose Luis Castillo bout.

“It started as a gym, and we kept on going,” Seddiqi explained. “My ambition was to give back to my community and create something from the ground up.”

Seddiqi has successfully held four events in Abu Dhabi. While continuing to expand the sport regionally, he remains dedicated to his ultimate aim of cultivating a world champion from the Middle East.

"It would be an incredible achievement," Seddiqi noted. "Boxing is more than just a sport for me; it's a way to give back and build something meaningful."

He acknowledged the hurdles fighters faced prior to his involvement, highlighting that many had to accept challenging bouts as a B-side just for opportunities.

Although optimistic about future world champions, Seddiqi urged patience, suggesting it may take three to five years to achieve success. He also emphasized his strategic approach to ensuring evenly matched fights.

“We match tough fights because we don’t have the same amateur backgrounds as the U.S. or U.K.,” Seddiqi remarked. “Our goal is to build fighters through these tough matches.”

The presence of world champions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi has offered invaluable sparring experiences for local fighters.

Seddiqi has welcomed top boxers like Anthony Joshua, Manny Pacquiao, and Amir Khan to his gym during their visits to the region.

Beyond his focus on the Middle East, Seddiqi sees enormous potential in India’s untapped boxing market.

He manages Faizan Anwar (18-0, 9 KOs), whom he believes could become a star in a nation of 1.4 billion people.

Seddiqi also stressed the importance of nurturing talent in the Arab world, which boasts a population of roughly 500 million.

“If you get one star, the whole region will support it,” Seddiqi stated.

Seddiqi’s strategy emphasizes developing fighters rather than organizing headline-making matches. He recalled advice from Mike Tyson: "You just need one [star]. Once you have one, the rest are just going to rise up."

Seddiqi operates the Round 10 gym and acts as a manager without taking management fees, ensuring fighters retain most of their earnings while safeguarding himself with a contractual agreement.

Source: boxingscene

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