The origin of boxing as a sport, may be its acceptance by the ancient Greeks as an Olympic game. But earlier boxing records are depicted in Sumerian carvings in Iraq, while an ancient Egyptian relief depicts two fist-fighters and spectators. Other examples can also be found in Assyrian and Babylonian art. According to Olympic boxing coach Hussein Ali, boxing is the second most popular sport after football in Iraq and because of the current situation, only had one fighter representing Iraq at Rio 2016 but hopes to have five or six fully trained by the next Olympics. Over the years, combat sport has evolved in Iraq and now incorporates other disciplines, including the massively popular Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and Muay Thai. Although not represented in the Iraqi Fight Club, wrestling still remains popular and in 2014, the Iraqi team netted the Cup of the Western Asia Free style Wrestling Championship.
Historically, Adnan Bin Abdul Kareem Ahmed Alkaissy El Farthie better known as Adnan AlKaissie, was a former Iraqi professional wrestler and manager who remains best known as Sheik Adnan Al-Kaissey, Billy White Wolf, or General Adnan. In 1971 he defeated the legendary AndrÊ the Giant in Al-Shaab Stadium in Baghdad. In the World Wrestling Federation now known as WWE, during the summer of 1990, he allied with Sgt. Slaughter as "General Adnan� and managed him during his pro-Iraqi gimmick feud with Hulk Hogan. We hope that through the Iraqi Fight Club, our readers will get a unique insight into sporting techniques which are not often associated with Iraq. Despite the ongoing conflicts, the people of Iraq are maintaining their own independence, while overcoming the many obstacles which have been put down before them.
From 1968 to 1976, Estaifan Shilaita was the boxing champion of Iraq. Brett Garamella and Patrick McGowan present to you ‘The Champion’, a documentary short film on the journey of former Iraqi boxing champion Estaifan Shilaita.
Waheed Abdulridha is an Iraqi soldier and was the sole representative for his country at the Rio 2016 Olympics in boxing. Abdulridha started boxing in 1989 and trains in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad.
Eighteen-year-old Gheith Karim was born in Iraq and raised in Dearborn. The boxing community has already dubbed him "The Southpaw Prince", due to his skilled left hand technique in the boxing ring. He's garnered international support from the Iraqi community and stated: "I'm trying to put Iraq on the map. There's something special in Iraqi fighters. I want to put the Iraqi flag on the title. I want to make the community proud."
"I want to prove to the whole world that the word ‘refugee' doesn't always represent fear and weakness. We need to prove to the world that we can still do something as refugees" Abdalla is an 18-year-old Iraqi kickboxer and was member of #TeamRefugees at Rio2016.
Amir Albazi was born in Baghdad, Iraq and has competed in over 400 MMA fights
Across Baghdad, the Iraqi Combat Fighting Championships are leading the way in a range of Mixed Martial Arts and Muay Thai.
The Iraqi Fight Club Produced by Iraq Solidarity News (Al-Thawra) For more information www.Iraq-Solidarity.blogspot.com