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One of the most amazing comeback
stories in boxing history will
continue when Rola El Halabi
(11-1, 6 KOs) goes for the
vacant World Boxing Federation
Womens World Light Welterweight
title on August 3 at the 5500
capacity open-air Laubach Arena
in Laubach, Germany.
In April 2011 she was shot in
hands, knees and feet by her
estranged stepfather, just
minutes before a world
championship fight, and she was
never expected to box again, and
certainly not competitively at
world level.
But in January of this year she
did return to the ring, and
immediately proved her
miraculous comeback was not just
for show when she put on a great
performance against Italian
Lucia Morelli for the WBF World
Lightweight crown.
While she didn’t win that night
in Neu-Ulm, she put on such a
spirited effort that her stock
rose in defeat as she got the
short end of a majority
decision. So close, but not
quite there.
She has since published a book
about her struggles, but the
fairytale is nowhere near over.
On August 3 it continues when El
Halabi squares off with former
European title-challenger Dalia
Vasarhelyi (4-3, 0 KOs) from
Hungary, and this time she must
be considered the favourite to
finally win a WBF World
Championship.
Having prepared diligently for
the fight, sparring with the
aforementioned three-time world
champion Lucia Morelli among
others, 28-year-old El Halabi is
determined to bring the world
title back to her hometown of
Ulm, less than an hours drive
from Laubach, saying:
“After the loss to Morelli I
promised my fans to return and
win a world title for them, and
this is what I will do on August
3. My fans have supported me so
much over the years, so this
fight is as much for them as it
is for me and my team.”
Once again, just as was the case
with the Morelli fight in
January, no matter the outcome
Rola El Halabi is already a
winner in life. However, it
seems that she will not be
content with just fighting for
the world championship, she
wants to win it this time!
Boxnight Laubach will be
promoted by Thomas Dillenz and
his KnockOut Laubach. |
