By James Blears
The World Boxing Council is officially supporting the establishment of professional boxing in Iran.
Iranian Reza Djabbarpoor, who’s based in Germany, is taking on the challenge of planting these very particular sporting roots in this Islamic nation. Reza has traveled to Mexico, and obtained a letter of support from WBC President Jose Suliaman. It appoints and certifies him as its representative in Iran. Based in Germany for twelve years, he’s a former member of the Iranian national Muay Thai team, owns three gyms and is a promoter of the sport.
Reza has already pioneered Muay Thau in his homeland. Two years ago, he obtained a similar letter from WBC Vice President General Kovid Bhakdibhumi, to establish that sport within Iran.
The first Muay Thai Championship was held there three months ago, integrated into the country’s Martial Arts Federation Championship. Reza is aiming at a similar time frame for pro boxing. Although amateur boxing has a foothold in Iran with Olympic representation, Reza says pro boxing has not yet gained official approval.
Resa is planning to develop coverage of the two sports side by side on three Iranian-German TV stations based in Germany.
He acknowledged that developing professional boxing in Iran is going to be almost as difficult as in China:
“In the beginning it’s going to be very hard, but we will get there. I’m convinced Iran is a large potential sporting market, with its population of seventy five million people, who don’t have a lot of public entertainment. I think and hope the Authorities will understand and my letter, which represents a symbolic beginning will help. This is my dream because I love Muay Thai and boxing. I’ve now got a lot of hard work ahead of me.”
