ABU DHABI // Retirements, disqualification, walkovers and long delays were the order of the night on Friday in the boxing competition at the Armed Forces Officers Club Ramadan Festival.
A couple of bouts ended with hardly any punches thrown, followed by two retirements, a disqualification and a walkover on the nine-fight card. There were also long delays as boxers were either not on time or not ready.
The evening began brightly when Mohammed Al Madani scored a stylish victory over Abdulla Ali in the 56kg and under division. Al Madani won a unanimous points decision by scoring freely with a combination of left and right jabs and a few crunching hooks.
Ahmad Mehrazi was also an impressive winner, scoring with combination punches to stop Mohammed Al Hanea in the second round in the 60kg category, and Mohammed Al Mismari threw a barrage of punches to stop Othman Al Jabri in the 64kg division.
The remaining bouts ended disappointingly with towels being thrown into the ring just seconds into the fights from which Mohammed Tariq and Ahmed bin Hanif emerged winners in the 69kg and 75kg classes, respectively. Saeed Al Wachi was awarded the 81kg contest when Issa Hamdan was disqualified and Omar Al Mismari emerged winner when his opponent, Mohammed Al Salman, retired in the first round.
Ahmed Al Bawardi received a walkover against Jaber Darwish in the 91kg and above class.
The Festival gets into full swing Saturday with the start of the sevens football for men, shooting for men and women, ice hockey and bowling, with the boxing finals the highlight of the evening.
[ apassela@thenational.ae ]
