UBO Flashback: When Tunisia Celebrated A New UBO World Champion

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JANUARY 18, 2024 / BY BY UBO PRESS OFFICER

The Palais des Sports in M´Saken was packed, and the many enthusiastic fans made it a noisy and extraordinary affair.

Based in France, It was only the second time Fhima boxed in his birth country as a professional, having won the African Boxing Union (ABU) title at the same venue a year earlier.

Also a former WBC Latino and IBF International titlist, Fhima had plenty of championship experience, but this was his first opportunity to win a world title.

Kanbolatov had won the UBO world title three years prior, but didn't get an opportunity to defend the belt, so he entered the ring hungry to regain it.

It was an action-packed and competitive fight, with Fhima the main aggressor but Kanbolatov having his share of success as well, finishing strongly.

Fhima appeared to be very motivated by the large crowd and the atmosphere, determined to not let himself and his fellow Tunisians down.

Kanbolatov was game throughout the entire fight, but after twelve hard-fought rounds Fhima was deservedly declared the winner by unanimous decision (115-113, 117-111 and 118-111).

After the announcement of the decision, the entire arena exploded, and a large amount of dancing fans entered the ring to lift up and celebrate the new UBO world champion.

Having achieved his life-long goal, Fhima never boxed again and retired on top. As it turned out, the end was also near for Kanbolatov, who only had a few more bouts before calling it a day.