ISLAMABAD: British-Pakistani boxer Hamzah Sheeraz, who defeated Austin Williams from the US state of Wisconsin in a bout in Riyadh this month, has hailed the capital city of Saudi Arabia as the future hub of global sports.
Sheeraz defeated Williams on June 1 in a highly anticipated middleweight clash at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh as part of the Queensberry vs Matchroom: 5vs5 event.
The 25-year-old, who intends to compete again in the Saudi capital later his year, says it was an “amazing” experience to fight in Riyadh, though he competed for the first time in the Kingdom.
“[Saudi Arabia has] a massive, huge impact and not just only on boxing. We’re talking all sports here across the board. We’re talking soccer. We’re talking snooker. We’re talking obviously boxing. We’re talking UFC [Ultimate Fighting Championship],” he told Arab News in an exclusive interview.
“Riyadh is where the future is in terms of sports. I see for the next, however, for the foreseeable future, Riyadh is where it’s all happening.”
Sheeraz was born in Ilford, London into a family of athletes. His father hails from Matore village in Kahuta tehsil of Pakistan’s Punjab province. Sheeraz’s father was a cricketer who played for Gloucestershire, while his paternal grandfather and uncle were both boxers. Sheeraz’s uncle also won ten national amateur titles for Slough and Pinewood Star clubs in the UK, according to the 25-year-old.
He was formally introduced to boxing at the age of 8 by his uncle and had his first bout at 12, becoming a three-time finalist at the national junior championships in the UK, before turning into a professional fighter.
In 2017, he signed up with Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions as a professional boxer. Sheeraz debuted in September of the same year and defeated Duane Green in technical knockout in the second round on the undercard of the Billy Joe Saunders–Willie Monroe Jr. fight at the Copper Box Arena in London. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches, Sheeraz has been undefeated and boasts a 20-0 record.
He said it was a great first experience competing before the “vibrant crowd” in Riyadh, adding that it was valuable to face that level of competitiveness and to be among the elite where even a 1 percent difference can be crucial.
“The people around the world can really see that Riyadh and the whole Riyadh Season is really portraying the pinnacle of sports and showing that this is the best level it can get to,” the 25-year-old said. “So, it’s always an honor to be a part of that and to be part of something where the competition is so high, but the reward is so much higher.”
Asked about his next fight, Sheeraz said he intended to compete again during the Riyadh Season in September. “Hopefully, we are looking at September but nothing has been confirmed yet. Hopefully, it’ll be another Riyadh Season event,” he added.
The annual Riyadh Season festival is part of the Saudi Seasons initiative to promote tourism and national heritage of the Kingdom, according to Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA). The festival is attended by millions of people each year to enjoy exciting activities and events.
In honor of his exceptional performance in Saudi Arabia, Sheeraz said, Turki bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Shaikh, chairman of the GEA, had signed him as an “Ambassador of Riyadh Season,” alongside two other boxers Terence Crawford and Jared Anderson.
“I am an ambassador for Riyadh Season now and it is an absolute honor,” he told Arab News. “I can’t thank the people involved, His Excellency [Turki bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Shaikh] enough for choosing me and for allowing me to be someone who represents not just them, but who represents them on such a big, big worldwide level.”
Sheeraz garnered global fame in 2022, when he was recognized by the prestigious Boxing Writers’ Club as the ‘Young Boxer of the Year’. A number of former world champions have been the recipient of the award presented at the Savoy Hotel on London’s Embankment.
In March 2022, he defeated Jez Smith for the WBC International Silver Middleweight Title at the OVO Arena, Wembley. Previously, he defended the WBO European Champion title in super welterweight category on four occasions.
About boxing in Pakistan, Sheeraz said Pakistan had many great fighters, but the problem was that they did not have a platform and financial backing to advance their careers.
“Hopefully, [I will] bring these young superstars to Riyadh, bring them to Riyadh to perform,” he said, adding that he had a plan to build gyms in the country of his origin to help natural talent come through without any worries.
“Definitely, I would love to come back there,” he said, when asked whether he would like to compete in Pakistan. “I would [also] love to do tours, go to universities, give speeches, get in touch with the youth over there to steer them in the right direction and show them there are opportunities out there that they wouldn’t even dream of.”
‘Riyadh is where the future is’: British-Pakistani boxer hails Saudi capital as global sports hub
https://arab.news/cemm6
‘Riyadh is where the future is’: British-Pakistani boxer hails Saudi capital as global sports hub
- Hamzah Sheeraz entered professional boxing arena in 2017 and has won all 20 of his games
- The undefeated boxer plans to compete again during the Riyadh Season in September this year
Western Conference Finals showdown spotlights changing face of the NBA
- Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards competing for ‘Face of the League’ title
DUBAI: The second-round clash between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets was a thrilling showdown between two of the brightest stars, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, both frontrunners for the 2024–2025 NBA MVP.
But now, the NBA Western Conference Finals present an even more compelling narrative, a duel between Oklahoma’s Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, two rising stars competing for the title of the “Face of the League.”
Changing of the guard as next generation takes over
As the NBA legendary era of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant approaches its twilight, the focus shifts to the next wave of superstars.
With established players like Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Trae Young, and the Spurs’ phenom Victor Wembanyama making their mark, this series offers a refreshing showcase of two young guards ready to take the league by storm.
It is a classic guard-vs-guard battle that basketball enthusiasts will relish.
Oklahoma City are battle tested
Oklahoma City enter the series as the Western Conference’s top seed, following a dominant 68-win regular season.
At the heart of their success is Gilgeous-Alexander, who is on track to win his first NBA MVP. Averaging 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game, the Canadian superstar has become the face of the Thunder’s resurgence.
In the playoffs, OKC swept the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round, capitalizing on Ja Morant’s injury in Game 3, and outlasted the Denver Nuggets in a thrilling seven-game series.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s 35-point performance in Game 7 put him in elite company, joining Durant as the only Thunder player to score 35 or more points in a Game 7.
Timberwolves back to the Western Conference Finals
On the other hand, the No. 6 seed Timberwolves have taken a different path to the conference finals. After a commanding five-game victory over the No. 3 seed Los Angeles Lakers, they faced the Golden State Warriors in the second round.
The series took a decisive turn when Curry was injured in Game 2, allowing Minnesota to capitalize and close out the series in five games.
For the Timberwolves, this marks their second straight trip to the Western Conference Finals, following last year’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
2 teams chasing historic first championship
Both teams are now on the brink of history, each aiming to win their first NBA championship. The Thunder have not reached the NBA Finals since 2012, while the Timberwolves have never made it that far.
This is more than just a series; it is a clash of two young stars leading their teams to uncharted territory. The winner will advance to the NBA Finals to face either the Indiana Pacers or the New York Knicks, who are battling in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The X factor, supporting casts and rising stars
Playoff success is often determined by superstar performances, but it also relies heavily on role players stepping up and making a difference. For the Thunder, Gilgeous-Alexander is the engine, but he is far from alone.
Rising star Jalen Williams has become a crucial piece, contributing with scoring, playmaking, and defensive versatility. His ability to complement Gilgeous-Alexander will be a key factor in Oklahoma City’s success.
Additionally, Alex Caruso’s impact cannot be overstated. In Game 7 against the Denver Nuggets, Caruso’s tenacious defense on Jokic played a pivotal role in limiting the MVP to just 20 points.
As the Thunder prepare to face the Minnesota Timberwolves, Chet Holmgren’s presence as a rim protector will be vital. The Timberwolves’ aggressive approach to attacking the paint will test Holmgren’s defensive prowess.
His ability to deter easy paths to the rim could be a determining factor in the series outcome.
Minnesota’s secret weapons include Edwards and Randle
Meanwhile, the Timberwolves rely on Edwards, whose explosive scoring and fearless mentality have transformed Minnesota into a contender.
Alongside Edwards, Julius Randle has rediscovered his form, becoming a reliable scorer and rebounder, a far cry from his past playoff struggles. Randle has been a consistent contributor, averaging nearly 24 points per game in the playoffs.
Anchoring the defense is Rudy Gobert, a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Gobert’s rim protection and rebounding have been pivotal. He also can score when the team needs him as he recorded playoff career highs with 27 points and 24 rebounds against the Lakers in the first round.
The Timberwolves’ depth is a significant asset. Naz Reid, the former Sixth Man of the Year Award winner, has become a reliable scorer off the bench. Jaden McDaniels adds defensive versatility and scoring, while veteran Mike Conley offers leadership and playmaking, guiding the team’s younger players.
Battle beyond the finals
As the series tips off, the spotlight will shine on Gilgeous-Alexander and Edwards, but the supporting cast and defensive battles may well decide the outcome.
The Thunder and Timberwolves are not just battling for a place in the NBA Finals but for one in the league’s future.
The NBA Western Conference Finals Game 1 between the Timberwolves and Thunder is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20.
Marseille president rules out move to sign Man City great De Bruyne
- Club president Pablo Longoria has ruled out a move for the 33-year-old playmaker
- Signing a player of such stature might prove disruptive
MARSEILLE: Kevin De Bruyne will be hot property when he leaves Manchester City and many clubs would love to sign him next season.
Marseille are not one of them.
Club president Pablo Longoria has ruled out a move for the 33-year-old playmaker because he thinks signing a player of such stature might prove disruptive.
“If we take a player with a much higher salary than the players we have in the squad today, who qualified us for the Champions League, it destroys all the balance, all the good things, the good dynamic the players built,” Longoria said. “It would be, on the part of a club, a total lack of respect for the players who helped us qualify for the Champions League.”
Marseille finished second in Ligue 1 behind champion Paris Saint-Germain and qualified directly for next season’s Champions League.
De Bruyne was set to make his final home appearance for City later Tuesday against Bournemouth after 10 trophy-laden years at the club. He is one of City’s greatest ever players and won 16 trophies with the club, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League.
De Bruyne shares the record for the highest number of assists in a single Premier League season with 20, and scored more than 100 goals for City.
Ben Sulayem leads FIA to major financial recovery with best results in almost a decade
- Global motorsport organization returns to profit in FY2024, reversing years of deficits
Dubai: The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile has reported its strongest financial performance in almost 10 years, marking a significant turnaround under the presidency of Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
According to figures released this week, the global governing body for motorsport and mobility organisations achieved an operating result of €4.7 million ($5.2 million) for the fiscal year 2024, a dramatic recovery from the €24 million loss recorded in 2021, the year before Ben Sulayem took office.
The turnaround is attributed to a wide-ranging strategic transformation led by the administration. Since taking office, Ben Sulayem has prioritized reforms in financial governance, transparency and operational efficiency across the organization.
“Upon my election as president of the FIA, I committed to ensuring a profitable operation,” said Ben Sulayem. “Today, I am incredibly proud to show that we have achieved this mission, delivering the strongest set of financial results in eight years.”
The FIA reported a total operating income of €182 million for 2024, a 17 percent year-on-year increase, with no outstanding financial debt and an equity ratio of 45 percent, signaling improved financial stability.
Key reforms introduced since 2021 include strengthened procurement controls, the introduction of quarterly internal reporting and a robust financial steering model. These changes have improved budget oversight and allowed the FIA to better allocate resources in line with its strategic objectives across both motorsport and mobility.
The federation also introduced a mid-year general assembly, ensuring more timely financial accountability, and will publish its second consecutive annual activity report ahead of the 2024 general assembly in June. The latest report will include a newly enhanced profit and loss presentation format aimed at increasing transparency.
The improved financial position enables the FIA to reinvest in its core programs, including support for 245 member clubs worldwide and the development of the seven world championships under its governance. It also strengthens the FIA’s ability to deliver on key objectives, including sustainability initiatives and grassroots motorsport development.
A nonprofit organization, the FIA is now well positioned to build on its financial recovery and continue delivering on its broader mandate to promote safe, accessible and sustainable motorsport on a global scale.
Bianca Andreescu on challenges of finding purpose away from the tennis court
- Ranked 102 in the world this week, Andreescu is competing in the qualifying rounds of a Grand Slam for the first time since the 2019 Australian Open
MADRID: Bianca Andreescu has spent more time than she would have liked away from the tennis tour since she stormed onto the scene back in 2019.
That breakthrough season six years ago saw a 19-year-old Andreescu become the first Canadian to win a Grand Slam singles title when she defeated Serena Williams in the US Open final.
She ended that year ranked No. 4 in the world after starting it ranked outside the top 150.
Her career has been a stop-start journey since then, as a slew of injuries, a self-imposed break for mental health reasons, and more recently an appendectomy, have kept her on the sidelines for various stretches of time.
Currently mounting yet another comeback following a six-month hiatus, Andreescu opened her Roland Garros qualifying campaign with a bang, delivering a 6-0, 6-0 performance against China’s Yao Xinxin on Monday to advance to round two.
Ranked 102 in the world this week, Andreescu is competing in the qualifying rounds of a Grand Slam for the first time since the 2019 Australian Open.
The 24-year-old Canadian returned to action in April after missing the first three and a half months of the season due to personal reasons, as well as an emergency surgery to remove her appendix back in February.
Looking fitter and feeling healthier than, perhaps, ever, Andreescu sent out a signal of intent in Rome last week, where she claimed two top-20 victories, over former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina and Olympic silver medallist Donna Vekic, en route to the round of 16.
A long journey of soul-searching and self-development is what helped Andreescu get to where she is today. But ever the seeker, she admits her appetite for learning and finding meaningful off-court experiences doesn’t always make her life easier on court.
For years now, Andreescu has been working on finding fulfilment beyond winning a tennis match. During a break she took in 2022, she started volunteering at various charities, including a women’s shelter dedicated to victims of domestic violence.
She made sure her most recent hiatus was just as productive.
“I did a lot of things. After Tokyo [in October 2024], I was not too good mentally, so since I was in that area, I went to Thailand, and I did a lot of volunteer work there with kids,” Andreescu told Arab News earlier this month.
She spent time in Phuket and Chiang Mai, helping bring food, water, and clothes to impoverished areas.
“It was very humbling, obviously, and just such amazing people,” she added. “That definitely helped me get into a better mindset.”
Just as she was preparing to return to the tour for March’s ‘Sunshine Double’ in Indian Wells and Miami, Andreescu’s progress was delayed by appendectomy surgery.
“But that led to other things; so I went on two retreats,” she explained.
“I did an online Tony Robbins retreat, and then I did a Joe Dispenza retreat in person [in Basel]. I've read all of his books, and I talk about him quite a lot. I went to one of his retreats to really get into that mindset of, coming back into the sport.”
She also visited her grandparents in Romania.
“They are my biggest supporters, and, honestly, when I have tough times on court, I really think about them, and they really give me that confidence to push harder and to be better on the court, so it was really nice,” said Andreescu.
Getting healthy has been a top priority for Andreescu, who spent months researching various nutrition plans before settling on Dave Asprey’s ‘Bulletproof diet’. She said a lot of her previous injuries could have been attributed to being overweight and is pleased with all the work she’s done to “get leaner”.
Now back on tour and working her way through the qualifying rounds of the French Open, Andreescu is armed with a wealth of knowledge and real-life experiences she never would have amassed had she been on the tennis circuit full-time.
“It is definitely great, but sometimes I can get too much in my head with all the information that I'm seeking,” she confessed.
“Because, yes, I have a lot of interests outside of the court, and that can be beneficial, but also not. Because if I go back to 2019, yes, I read books and stuff, but I was still in that era of ‘ignorance is bliss’, and sometimes that's really nice, because I can definitely get into my head.
“But it helps me so much in the way of growing as a person on and off the court, a million percent. And I think that's what life is all about, and I think that's why I also seek those experiences, especially volunteer work. For me, that's, like, super, super important, giving back.”
‘Getting in her head’ can manifest in different ways and Andreescu tries to elaborate with a few examples.
“Let's say I'm feeling nervous. I have all of these tools under my belt that I can use to help me tame that nervousness. But then I can also take the way of going with the flow and just letting the nerves hit me and use that to my advantage,” she says.
“So it's like finding that balance, for instance, because I know that I can do well when I am nervous, but I know I can also do well when I'm more calm and centered, so it's a bit weird in that way.
“And then the other part is I feel like I always need to be doing something and always needing to learn something, and that can get quite overbearing because sometimes, let's say, if I don't write in my journal one day, I can get in my head, if I lose my match today, I'll maybe think, ‘Oh, if I wrote in my journal yesterday, maybe I would have won’. Little things like that.”
Striking that balance remains a work in progress for Andreescu but she certainly feels empowered by all her off-court endeavors and feels “super different than even six months ago”.
Her biggest challenge is shedding all the comparisons people draw between who she is now, as a player, and who she was during her breakthrough 2019 campaign. She admits it’s a trap she herself sometimes gets caught up in.
“It's like how can I be Bianca now instead of how can I be Bianca from last year, or even, you know, 2019, right? Because everyone talks about 2019, but it's never going to be the case. So it's like finding who Bianca is now is the most important thing,” she states.
“I can definitely have a toxic relationship in a way with the sport, and so it's just really focusing on giving myself grace of, yes, I'm a perfectionist and I know where my level can be, but it's also like, I'm not the same person I was back in 2019, because people always compare me to 2019, and me too. That's kind of been the narrative of my career.
“So it's just giving myself grace and patience because in a way I'm still young.”
A month shy of her 25th birthday, Andreescu has every reason to believe the best is yet to come.
Chelsea FC-branded project is ‘first of its kind’ says Damac’s Amira Sajwani
- Managing director of sales said the Dubai Maritime City development is ‘epitome’ of Damac’s philosophy
- The Premier League club-branded residences were officially introduced to UK-based investors at an exclusive Stamford Bridge event
LONDON: Amira Sajwani, managing director of sales and development at Damac Properties, has called the newly unveiled Chelsea Residences by Damac “the epitome of our philosophy” and a “first of its kind” following last week’s official unveiling of the development, which will be built at Dubai Maritime City.
This launch, announced at the Premier League club’s Stamford Bridge stadium last week, marks the debut of the first-ever Chelsea FC-branded residential project.
The exclusive event attracted leading investors, potential buyers and brokers, and executives from Chelsea FC, and targeted potential British and European buyers seeking premium real estate opportunities in Dubai.
“Chelsea Residences by Damac is the epitome of our philosophy to bring global partnerships to life through world-class design and lifestyle experiences,” Sajwani said. “Our collaboration with Chelsea FC … offers an unmatched residential opportunity for buyers who value exclusivity and quality. With Dubai’s reputation as a leading global city for luxury real estate, we are confident this project will set new benchmarks for branded residences.”
Strategically located within Dubai Maritime City, one of the last remaining prime waterfront plots in the city, Chelsea Residences by Damac comprises six striking towers soaring to 130 meters, with over 1,400 sea-facing residences offering sweeping 270-degree views of the Arabian Gulf and the spectacular Dubai skyline.
Todd Kline, president of commercial at Chelsea FC, added: “This partnership with Damac signals an exciting chapter in the Chelsea story, bringing our club’s spirit and prestige into the real estate world. Chelsea Residences by Damac will give our fans and discerning buyers the chance to become part of the Chelsea legacy in an entirely new and extraordinary way.”
Residents will enjoy a specifically curated Chelsea FC-inspired lifestyle, featuring an array of exclusive branded amenities including a rooftop football pitch, Athlete Performance Centre, Chelsea Sports Bar, a private cinema, and the Aquarium Lounge. A wellness offering will include a cryotherapy center, an aerial yoga studio, forest relaxation pods, and a starlit wellness center. Dining concepts will feature Dubai’s first healthy mono-diet cafe and the exclusive “Captain’s Table” event series hosted by Chelsea legends.
Unit prices start from AED 2.17 million (approximately $590,000), with one-, two-, and three-bedroom configurations available.
