Grassroots Boxing Makes a Comeback in Dubai: A Recap of the Event

Grassroots Boxing made a triumphant return to Dubai on Saturday, September 20, staging its fourth and most ambitious event to date at The W on the Palm.

Blending rising amateur talent with emerging professionals, the card featured 15 well-matched bouts and two title fights — an electric night that many saw as a turning point for the promotion and perhaps for the region’s boxing scene as a whole.

In the headliners, Anees Taj captured the WBC Middle East Cruiserweight title with a victory over Wagdy Attia, while Anahit Aroyan secured the WBA Bantamweight Continental belt, defeating Stumi Muki Paulo.

This edition marked a clear shift in tone and ambition. With high-profile guests including Nick Ball, Hamzah Sheeraz, and Amir Khan in attendance, and live streaming on IFL TV and Triller, the event signaled Grassroots’ intent to rise beyond local circuits and establish itself as the Middle East’s premier grassroots platform.

A Formula That Works

The event kicked off at 3 p.m., a strategic move that helped avoid a late finish and kept energy levels high throughout. Seven amateur bouts wrapped within two hours, followed by eight professional contests, all run on a tight, punchy schedule that kept fans engaged.

Promoter Jamie Cormack emphasized that building a viable, scalable boxing platform in the UAE was always the goal.

“I want to bridge the gap I’ve seen between emerging pros and talented amateurs in the region,” said Cormack. “This gives them a platform to box regularly and get noticed — not just locally, but globally.”

A key insight, he noted, is that amateur fighters often sell more tickets than early-career pros — thanks to strong community and workplace networks.

“You’ve got guys who play football or have large friendship groups bringing a base crowd. They come to support their friends — and they stay for the pro card,” he added.

Looking Ahead: Bigger Ambitions

Cormack confirmed plans for two more events before year’s end, with longer-term goals to split the brand — keeping “Grassroots Boxing” focused on amateurs and developing professionals, while launching a higher-tier promotion for elite-level UAE-based fighters.

“There hasn’t been a high-level production since Bivol vs. Ramirez,” Cormack said. “We want to stage events at venues that haven’t seen boxing before and bring in diverse audiences — Pakistani, African, Filipino communities, not just Western expats. It’s better for the sport.”

Saturday, he said, felt like a major step forward: “It was magical. The venue stayed full all night. The energy was electric. Hamzah, Nick, and Amir gave the event real credibility — everyone was buzzing for photos. And the fights? Unreal. No mismatches — every bout delivered.”

Fighters on the Rise

The event also highlighted stories of late-starters and young prospects seizing their moments. Farren Morgan (2-0-0), 31, made waves again — this time bouncing back from a first-round knockdown to score a fourth-round stoppage.

“I love this sport because it’s fair,” Morgan said afterward. “Doesn’t matter your background, your bank account, your race — if you put in the work, the ring will show it.”

“The crowd was going crazy after the second round. I showed I can take a knock and come back stronger. I’m already back in camp — one day off, and I’m grinding again. We’re building something in Dubai, and I owe it to the community to keep pushing.”

Meanwhile, Michael Roos (4-1-0), 35 — co-promoter and fighter — delivered a first-round KO, proving age is no barrier.

“I started boxing just to get fit. First walked into a gym in January 2021. Now I’m in the top 40 in the UK — it’s mad,” Roos said. “There were no shows for us to fight on, so we made our own. That’s how this started. We’re riding a wave, and it just keeps growing.”

Also catching eyes was 19-year-old Mikael Hussain (1-0-0), cousin of Hamzah Sheeraz, who impressed in his pro debut with a third-round TKO.

“It was surreal,” said Hussain. “Something I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid. To live it out, get the finish, hear the crowd roar — it was one of the best moments of my life. This is just the beginning.”

A Promotion with Purpose

In a region where many boxing promotions have fizzled due to inconsistent scheduling or lack of community connection, Grassroots Boxing is charting a different path — focusing on authenticity, accessibility, and a clear understanding of what fighters and fans want.

By identifying gaps in the local market — especially the lack of consistent platforms for amateur and mid-level pros — the team behind Grassroots is building a sustainable ecosystem, not just one-off shows.

With two more events planned for this year and ambitions to reach new venues and broader audiences, Grassroots is proving that boxing in the UAE has more than a pulse — it has real momentum.