Rumble Rings True

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Royal Rumble IV, the fourth edition of Bahrain’s premier charity boxing event, stormed into Crowne Plaza Bahrain on Thursday night with the energy that separates a routine amateur card from a true fight-night spectacle. Eight bouts featuring Bahrain’s Royal Guard, national standouts, Saudi rivals, and the UK Armed Forces (UKAF) delivered rising intensity, framed by the event’s charity-driven purpose under the patronage of HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Before the bouts began, a number of former world champions graced the ring to inspire the fighters, including two-time world champion and Athens 2004 Olympics silver-medallist Amir Khan. WBA super-middleweight world champion Rocky Fielding, middleweight world champion Darren Barker, super featherweight world champion Barry Jones, and British, Commonwealth, and inter-continental heavyweight champion Scott Welch were also present. Barker, Jones, and Welch reflected on their careers fondly, with Welch recalling sharing the ring with Brad Pitt in the movie "Snatch". Fielding went on to call out his fellow Scouser and MMA star Darren Till, for a potential boxing showdown. Meanwhile, Khan said he would only come out of retirement for a fight against Manny Pacquiao and praised Bahrain boxing coach Tony Davis, alongside Shaikh Khalid, for developing the sport in the kingdom.

The early bouts set the tone with razor-thin decisions. Saudi’s Rayan Altayaar edged Bahrain’s Abdulrahman Al Mudahki in a split decision, followed by Royal Guard’s Isaac Zaman narrowly defeating UKAF’s Dylan Swales. Bahrain’s Mehdi Sahak then claimed a third-round stoppage of Omar Ali Mshnawi. Speaking to TDT after his win — his 30th in 31 amateur bouts — Sahak said, “Representing Bahrain is an honor, and staying smart and composed got me that stoppage. I aim to win the major belts like WBA and WBO, but only with the right team. Tonight I wanted to entertain with the Mohammed Ali-style movement rather than finishing too quickly.”

Israel Davis added a split-decision win over UKAF’s Dominik Zieba, while Bahrain’s Maryam Khamis delivered a unanimous victory over Saudi’s Khaltoum Hantoul, keeping her unbeaten home record intact. An elated Maryam Khamis, speaking after her win, said, 'I really enjoyed the fight. I could’ve finished it early, but I wanted to take it all in. I fought with heart, the crowd lifted me, and at one point I laughed and said, ‘easy, guys'.

Momentum shifted as the evening progressed. UKAF’s Kieran Cooper claimed a unanimous decision over Isaac Augustine, followed by Blaine Lambert narrowly defeating Abdulla Alabdullah in a split decision.

In the main event, Leon Moulds defeated Prakash Limbu via split decision, moving the series to 3–2. The result was seen as controversial by many, as Limbu had unleashed a flurry that got the crowd on its feet and seemed likely to sway the judges. He was later consoled by teammate Ali Alaradi, who was unavailable to fight for the Royal Guard that night. A dejected Limbu told TDT, ‘I felt the judges didn’t reward what I did. Losing to the same opponent three times affects how people see me, but I gave everything and I’ll come back faster, sharper, and stronger. With that, UKAF’s late surge ended the Royal Guard’s three-year winning streak in Bahrain.

The night’s charitable spirit was evident throughout, with a charity auction held during the event that raised funds for the Royal Humanitarian Foundation. Items included a Rio Ferdinand–signed Manchester United shirt that sold for 900 BD, Joe Calzaghe–signed gloves for 500 BD, a Steven Gerrard–signed Liverpool shirt for 500 BD, and Amir Khan–presented gloves for 550 BD, all contributing to the event’s focus on giving back.