POUNDRR 1.0 Makes Its Mark on UAE Boxing with a Powerful Message: Every Fighter a shot

DUBAI, 13 October 2026 — A new name has entered the UAE boxing scene, and it is bringing more than another fight night to the table. POUNDRR made its debut on Sunday, 11 October, transforming Cuban Boxing Club in Dubai into a lively meeting point for fighters, families, artists and boxing enthusiasts. With competitive amateur bouts, hip-hop music and an atmosphere that blurred the lines between sport and street culture, POUNDRR 1.0 introduced a different approach to fight-night entertainment. Its message was clear: “Every Fighter a Shot.” At the heart of the concept is a challenge familiar to amateur boxing: talented athletes who train relentlessly but struggle to secure opportunities to compete and gain recognition. POUNDRR aims to change that by creating a platform where emerging fighters can step into the spotlight, regardless of their profile or background.

Some Fights Are Bigger Than the Ring

For POUNDRR founder Dayls- D'Souza, the mission is deeply personal. D'Souza, who is on the autism spectrum, wants the promotion to represent not only sporting opportunity but also awareness, inclusion and the challenges people face beyond the public eye.

“This one is personal. Being on the spectrum, I carry that into everything POUNDRR stands for. ‘Some fights are bigger than the ring’ isn't a tagline for me. It's a reminder that people on the spectrum fight battles most people never see.”

Dayls D'Souza

The sentiment gives POUNDRR an identity that extends beyond wins and losses. Boxing is a sport built on resilience, discipline and overcoming adversity. By connecting those values with a wider conversation about autism awareness and acceptance, D'Souza hopes to create a community where differences are recognised and opportunities are shared. And on Sunday night, that ambition began taking shape.

Friends Turn Rivals in Electrifying National Team Finale

The evening's most anticipated contest brought two UAE national boxing team members and friends face-to-face. Raees “Reshab” Ravish and Abdullah Ayyash entered the ring knowing that, for one night, their friendship would have to take a back seat to competition. For spectators familiar with the pair, the matchup carried an emotional edge. Both fighters delivered a fiercely contested display of technical boxing,- keeping the audience engaged until the final bell. Ravish eventually secured victory on points, bringing the inaugural event to a dramatic close. The contest showcased the calibre of amateur talent developing within the UAE national boxing programme and demonstrated that mutual respect and intense competition can coexist inside the ropes.

RBL Chief Scores TKO as Young Talent Steps Up

Among the night's notable- performances was Felice- D'Antonio, CEO of the Royal Boxing League (RBL), who swapped his familiar role outside the ring for a pair of boxing gloves. Facing George Mukasa, D'Antonio secured a technical-knockout victory. His appearance offered an unusual moment for the UAE boxing community, with a figure better known for organising events stepping into the spotlight as a competitor.

Elsewhere, Faisal Abu Sham stopped Samson Lawrence by TKO, while Zakaria Lahideb, Farhad Bashir, Ismail Ahmed and Arya Ramesh were among the fighters recording victories. Female boxing was also represented, with Shei Rae Di defeating Hee Lee Heewon on points, highlighting the importance of providing competitive opportunities for women as the sport continues to develop across the region. The card also featured a professional exhibition, bringing another dimension to an evening that mixed emerging talent with more experienced athletes.

FYYTR Boxing Supports Debut and Autism Awareness

UAE-born combat sports brand FYYTR Boxing joined POUNDRR's inaugural event as a sponsor, supplying gloves and protective headgear. For the brand, supporting the event also meant supporting its wider message.

“FYYTR is proud to support POUNDRR at its inaugural event by providing gloves and headgear. We really appreciate the work POUNDRR is doing to raise awareness around autism, and it's something we hope to support further as a UAE-born brand committed to the region's sporting community. ”

Saima Ajram, CEO FYYTR Boxing

The partnership reflected the growing role of homegrown businesses in supporting grassroots boxing and community-focused sporting initiatives across the UAE.

Boxing Meets Street Culture

Beyond the competition, POUNDRR 1.0 offered a different atmosphere from the traditional amateur boxing event. Hip-hop provided the soundtrack between bouts, while artists, fighters and fans shared a space built around respect, community and an appreciation for boxing culture. The combination created a youthful, contemporary feel, positioning POUNDRR as both a sporting platform and a community-driven experience. For a promotion making its first appearance in a competitive UAE boxing market, the challenge will be converting that early enthusiasm into regular opportunities for fighters. But its debut offered an encouraging first impression.

POUNDRR 1.0 — Fight Results

• Main Event
• Raees “Reshab” Ravish defeated Abdullah Ayyash — Points
• Felice D'Antonio defeated George Mukasa — TKO
• Faisal Abu Sham defeated Samson Lawrence — TKO
• Shei Rae Di defeated Hee Lee Heewon — Points
• Farhad Bashir defeated Mohamed Suleiman — Points
• Ismail Ahmed defeated Semih Denis Halilogullari — Points
• Zakaria Lahideb defeated Chris Saliba — Points
• Ben Achiaou defeated Ahmad — Points
• Arya Ramesh defeated Ward Alotaibi — Points
• Samuel Khan defeated Soham — Points
• Abdurakhman defeated Youssef “Splitz” Karanouh — Points
• Bekzod Kholdorov defeated Derrick De Champ — Points
• Rashib Suleiman defeated Ali Hussein — Points

A New Platform, A Bigger Purpose

POUNDRR enters an increasingly active UAE amateur boxing landscape with a message that reaches beyond competition. Its debut provided fighters with an opportunity to compete, fans with an engaging experience and a founder with a platform to speak openly about inclusion. The real test will be whether POUNDRR can continue delivering on its promise to open doors for athletes who might otherwise remain unseen. For Dayls D'Souza, however, the ambition is already clear. Every fighter deserves a shot. And some victories begin long before the opening bell.