Popular veteran returns to homeland, puts region on notice
Three-time Asian title challenger Mamareza Hamze has called time on the Far Eastern chapter of his boxing career and is now targeting challenges closer to home.
After a rollercoaster eight-year, 21-fight run in Thailand, China and South Korea, Hamze took a well-earned break to recover from injuries and then return to his native Karaj, Iran.
Now refreshed and re-energised, 33-year-old Hamze is raring to capitalise on the rising interest in the sport across the Middle East.
Next step, Iran… beyond that, the world?
“I’m back in Iran, man!” exclaimed the popular veteran as he announced his comeback.
“I started my fighting career here in kickboxing and K1, before pro boxing existed in Iran.
“Now that pro boxing has been launched here, I am ready to finish what I started in Thailand. Let’s go Ham!”
The recently launched Iran Boxing Federation is set to debut pro boxing in the Islamic Republic as soon as the Covid-19 situation stabilises there.
Hamze will be keen to fight on home turf for the first time in more than a decade, but meanwhile is also inviting opposition from anywhere else in the Middle East – or beyond.
“I would love to fight in Dubai, as boxing is hot there right now,” he says.
“But anywhere else in the Middle East would be good, too. I’m open to offers.”
Pro boxing is also on the rise in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Afghanistan, and is well established in Turkey.
“Turkey would be great,” adds Hamze. “From there, maybe I can realise my dream to fight in Europe.”
Making headlines right from the start
The always enthusiastic and entertaining athlete known as the “Persian Slugger” made headlines the instant he turned pro, as went 12 hard rounds with former world champion Sirimongkol Singwancha in his very first contest.
That ABCO title challenge was followed by two more title tries – once more against Sirimingkol for a WBC Asia belt, and versus Ki Hong-min for WBF Asia-Pacific honours.
Hamze expects he has “four or five more years” left in his boxing career, and covets not only another shot at a belt but also opportunities to fight in Western Europe and North America.
First, though, the next chapter will begin back where it started as a kickboxer – and there’s no place like home.
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