Social media sensation Abdu Rozik’s fighting debut did not go to plan as he struggled through four rounds in Dubai on Saturday night.
The Tajikistani singer stands at 3’8″ and weighed in just under 64lb for his first boxing match at Social Knockout 3 in the Coca-Cola Arena. He faced fellow influencer Erali Boyqobilov, who tipped the scales at 66lb despite being four inches shorter.
Abdu Rozik’s boxing debut headlined on a night that also featured Misfits Boxing stars Salt Papi and Fox The G. But perhaps the most memorable bout saw Darren Till in one of the co-features defeat Mohammad Mutie before a mass brawl broke out.
Abdu Rozik is battered by Erali Boyqobilov before boxing debut ends in controversial draw
After an intensive but short training camp, a lack of boxing experience was clear as Abdu Rozik was unable to deal with his rival’s relentless pressure. Early on they both swung for the fences, but it was clear that Erali was the cleaner boxer of the two.
By round two and three, it was seeming as though Abdu Rozik was going to need something special in order to turn the fight around. However, an impressively fit Erali kept up the pace and in fact piled on even more pressure the later the fight got.
However, by the fourth he began to show signs of fading, with Abdu Rozik repeatedly claiming infractions for being hit on the back of his head. Unfortunately for the Dubai fan favourite, who had delayed his wedding for the bout, he was unable to turn the tables and they headed to the scorecards.
It had seemed pretty clear that Erali had won all four rounds, but when it came to the decision being read they were announced as both being “champions”. Abdu Rozik immediately stormed out of the ring, demanding that fans boo the decision before returning for an explosive post-fight interview.
Abdu Rozik not keen on rematch with Erali Borqobilov after tough boxing debut
Abdu Rozik was very upset with how his boxing debut had gone in the immediate aftermath of the fight, insisting that they should have been given six rounds instead of four. And he didn’t seem interested in a rematch, noting that he is a much more famous name than Erali.
“He was just punching in the back of my head and he thinks he won,” Abdu Rozik said after the fact. “Zero, no. Also, I need six rounds, they made it [four] rounds, why? I wanted six rounds, why did they do [four] rounds.
“He has to pay me [for the rematch] because why I am making him famous? He has to pay me, then after I will do it. I don’t want to make him famous for nothing, he has to pay me for making him famous because I am bigger than him.”
Erali then claimed that he had concussed his rival, which is why he was speaking so aggressively after a fight he had seemingly been lucky to escape from with a draw. Speaking through a translator, he said: “I think my punching was strong and he is dizzy now.”
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