BOXING IN QATAR

The future of world-class boxing events in the Middle East

With the conclusion of the World Cup in Qatar, the country has the ideal infrastructure and state-of-the-art stadiums, wherein the execution of professional boxing events will socially, economically and culturally provide a positive impact. With a strategic framework to develop numerous sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, recreation and tourism, professional boxing events will further boost these sectors. In addition, professional boxing can be used as a catalyst for the achievement of Qatar's long-term development goals as laid out in the Qatar National Vision 2030. With the extensive media exposure Qatar received as the host of the 2022 World Cup, Qatar has proven to be a leader in sporting facilites event production, execution, amenities, and hospitality, making it an ideal location to host professional boxing events.

The Middle East has already successfully held a number of high profile boxing matches including the Anthony Joshua v Andy Ruiz rematch in Riyadh and the Oleksander Usyk v Anthony Joshua rematch in Jeddah. Therefore, the Middle East is an ideal jurisdiction to host further world class and extravagant boxing/entertainment events.

As mentioned above, there are also a number of commercial opportunities to exploit through boxing (and other sports) thereby attracting further foreign investment and tourism into Qatar. We would be delighted to explore these opportunities further with you.

QATAR

State of the art sports venues, unmatched in superiority and accommodations.

With numerous large capacity venues throughout the country, Qatar is an ideal location to host world class extravagant boxing /entertainment events. Utilising and re-pourposing the exsisting structures for these events.

As a leader in state-of-the-art sports stadiums, all encompassing sporting facilities such as Aspire Zone as well as Aspetar a dedicated sports medicine hospital, Qatar offers amenities unmatched by any other location in the world. Thus, the ability to attract the world's most acclaimed and accomplished boxing stars and world championship boxing matches while attracting high profile celebrities and dignitaries alike. Thus maintaining the spotlight on Qatar as a leader in global sporting events.

Objectives

While the US still has most of the sport’s power brokers, it is to the Middle East that they are coming to make the biggest fights happen.* The National News, December 2022

• Showcasing Qatar's unique identity globally
• Catalyst for the achievement of Qatar's long-term development goals in the Qatar National Vision 2030
• International investment
• Global sponsorship opportunities
• Increased tourism
• Local Economic growth
• Local and regional value chain and business development
• Usage of world class stadiums and infrastructure built for World Cup
• Adaptability of infrastructure and services
• Sporting development
• Secure and support, involvement, employment and pride of local communities
• Youth physical education and empowerment (through boxing development programmes)
• Cultural understanding
  

WHY BOXING?

• Boxing has grown more than any other sport from 2010 to 2020* Forbes 2022
• Boxing is the 2nd most popular sport in the world among young people* GWI 2020
  
• Boxing is the 5th most popular sport worldwide with over 900 millions fans* The Money Co 2022
  
• Boxing stayed popular during the pandemic* ShowBuzzDaily 2022
  
• 10th Most lucrative sport in the world* BScholarly 2022
• Adults increased interest in Asia and the Pacific attributed to increase of sporting/boxing events held in the ME region* World Boxing News 2020
• Boxing is attracting fans at a higher rate in the U.S. than any other sport while also capturing a younger fan base* Forbes 2022
  
• UK has shown the most interest in boxing over the last 5 years with a search interest score of 100 from 2017 to 2022* Google Trends 2022
  
• Boxing is attracting fans at a higher rate in the US than any other sport* Forbes 2022
  
• 47.4 billion views on TikTok for #boxing* TikTok 2022
  
• 33% of Americans rank it 4th most popular sport* Harris Poll 2021
  
• 44% Are female fans between 25- 34 yrs old* Medium and Bob Ciosek 2019
  

boxing viewership

"Boxing draws huge attention from around the globe."* Roadtrips - July 2022

Sporting events make up some of the most popular and viewed TV broadcasts worldwide. Technology has allowed fans from around the globe the ability to experience their favourite events via television and streaming services and has contributed to the rise in popularity of boxing in regions such as the Middle East. Recently with the serge of matches held int he Middle East, the region is becoming a top choice for boxing promoters.

Only six sporting events rank above boxing in viewership numbers: Tour de France, World Cup, Cricket World Cup, Olympic Summer Games, Olympic Winter Games, and Women;s World Cup,. Boxing ranks seventh with 1 billion views, with the next most viewed sport the UEFA Championship League dramatically behind with 380 million viewers in eighth place.

Boxing – 1 Billion Viewers

The highest-grossing PPV boxing event of all time earned £333 million in revenue:

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao* DAZN 2022

• 34% All UK fans regularly watch live in-person and broadcasts
  
• 56% UK fans 18-34-2019* Harris Interactive & Quick Surveys
  
• 42% of internet users watch matches regularly in the Middle East* GWI 2018
  
• APAC 40% (boxing growing significantly)
  
• LATAM 46%
  
• 72.7 billion views on TikTok for #boxing* TikTok 2023
  

PARTNERS IN SPORT

A history of boxing success in Qatar

In 2015 the AIBA World Boxing Championships were held in Doha, Qatar. With reportedly 500 million TV viewers from across the world tuning in. Venues for the semi-final and final marquee events were sold-out showcasing 258 boxers from 74 countries.

Still in its infancy in Qatar, the first representatives in boxing appeared in the 2016 Olympics inspired by the 2015 AIBA event.

Qatar Financial Center (QFC) aimed to license sports companies in a drive to develop a sports sector in Qatar. The plan is to become a regional hub for sporting events, This makes Qatar the ideal location to support the expansion of professional boxing in the Middle East.

Professional Boxing in the Middle East needs a location that not only provides the venues and facilities to stage events, but who is a leader in sports science and technology for both its professional and amateur athletes. As a result, this makes Qatar the ideal location.

As the first specialised Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital in the Gulf region Aspetar is providing the highest possible medical treatment for sports-related injuries. In a state-of-the-art facility, it is staffed by some of the world’s leading sports medicine practitioners and researchers.

In 2009, Aspetar was accredited as a “FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence” by F-MARC and “IOC Research Centre for Prevention of Injury and Protection of Athlete Health”. In 2015, Aspetar was recognised as the “IHF Reference Centre for Athlete and Referee Health”.

Furthermore, Qatar is well on its way to become a leading sports technology destination as it has launched Qatar SportsTech (QST), which aims to grow startups with innovative sports technologies.

SPORTS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

The future is now

PAST-PRESENT-FUTURE

Boxing has proven to be one of the worlds' most lucrative sports, with unmatched growth, global popularity, and astounding viewership numbers. As a leading host of top international sporting championships, it is only fitting that Qatar add professional boxing to its roster of future events.

Past sporting events

• 1988 AFC Asian Cup (soccer)
• 1995 FIFA U-20 World Cup
• 1999 Handball World Junior Championship
• 2006 Asian Games
• 2011 AFC Asian Cup (soccer)
• 2014 FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in Doha
• 2015 World Handball Championships
• 2015 IBA World Championships (boxing) in Doha
• 2019 World Athletic Championships, in Doha
• 2019 World Beach Games in Doha
• 2021 FIFA Arab Cup
• 2022 FIFA World Cup

Annual sporting events held in Qatar

• Qatar Masters Golf Tournament, at the Doha Golf Club in Doha
• Qatar Open tennis tournament, Doha.
• Moto GP
• Superbikes
  

Upcoming sporting events in Qatar

• 2024 World Aquatics Championships, Doha
  
• 2030 Asian Games in Doha
  

Event Checklist

Decide event • Choose a theme and purpose:

raise funds, visibility, celebration

• Visit potential sites

• Appoint an event coordinator/manager

• Select committees/chairpersons

• Get cost estimates

• Get offers for entertainment

• Get offers for decorations

• Get offers from designers

• Finalize budget

• Create sponsorship amounts

• Create a mailing list

• Decide on a time and date

• Get written contracts

• Think of an alternative site

• Invite VIPs

• Hire a graphic designer

• Create a logo for the event

• Order hold-the-date cards

• Set marketing schedule

• Develop press release

• Hire photographer

• Investigate the need for special permits

• 3 to 6 Months before the event

• Send requests for sponsors

• Review with graphic designer invitations, programs, posters, etc.

• Prepare final copy for invitations, return cards, posters

• Prepare final copy for tickets

• Complete mailing lists for invitations

• Order invitations, posters, tickets, etc.

• Sign a contract with an entertainment company

• Make a list of locations for posters

• Finalize mailing lists

Set menu with the caterer

• Secure permits and insurance

• Get written confirmation of celebrity participation/special needs

• Finalize audio/visual contract

2 Months before the event

• Assemble/address invitations

• Mail invitations

• Distribute posters

• Obtain contracts for decorations and rental items

• Release press announcements about celebrities, VIPs, honorees

• Follow up to confirm sponsorships and underwriting

• Obtain logos from corporate sponsors for program printing

• Review needs for signs at registration, directional, etc.

• All major chairpersons to finalize plans

• Hold a walk-through of the event with responsible committees

• Review/finalize the budget, task sheets, and tentative timeline

• Start phone follow-up for table sponsors (corporate, VIP, committee)

• 1 Month Ahead before the event

• Phone follow-up of the mailing list (ticket sales)

• Place newspaper ads, follow up with news media, and on-air announcements

• Confirm staff for registration, hosting, and other

• Write to VIPs, celebrities, and program participants, confirm participation

• Complete list of contents for VIP welcome packets

• Get an enlarged site plan/room diagram, assign seats/tables

• Give an estimate of guests expected to caterer/food service

• Meet with all outside vendors, and consultants to coordinate the event

• Review script/timeline

• Continue phone follow-ups for ticket/table sales

• Continue assigning seats; set head table, speaker's platform

• Confirm transportation schedules: airlines, trains, buses, cars, limos

• Confirm hotel accommodations

• Prepare transportation and accommodations

• Confirm particular security needed for VIPs, event

• Prepare welcome packet for VIPs, chairmen, and key staff

• Schedule deliveries of special equipment, rentals

• Confirm setup and tear-down times with the event site

• Finalize plans with the party decorator

• Give revised caterer numbers

• Meet with chairpersons, and key staff to finalize any of the above

• 1 Week Before the event

• Meet with all committees for last-minute details

• Meet with all committees for last-minute details

• Finish phone follow-ups

• Confirm number of attending

• Finish seating/table arrangements

• Hold training sessions with volunteers; finalize assignments

• Secure two or three volunteers to assist with emergencies

• Finalize registration staff

• Distribute seating chart, and assignments to hosts/hostesses

• Schedule pickup or delivery of any rented or loaned equipment

• Double-check arrival time and delivery times with vendors

• Reconfirm event site, hotel, transportation

• Deliver final scripts/ timelines to all program participants

• Finalize catering guarantee, refreshments

• Confirm the number of volunteers

• Make follow-up calls to news media for advance and event coverage

• Distribute additional fliers

• Final walk-through with all personnel

• Schedule rehearsals

• Schedule volunteer assignments for the day of the event

• Establish the amount of petty cash needed for tips and emergencies

• Write checks for payments to be made for the day of the event

• Day before the event

• Lay out all clothes that you will need on the day of the event

• Recheck all equipment and supplies to be brought to the event

• Have petty cash and vendor checks prepared

• Event Day

• Arrive early (with your change of clothes)

• Unpack equipment, and supplies and make sure nothing is missing

• Be sure all VIPs are in place and have scripts

• Reconfirm refreshments/meal schedule for volunteers

• Go over all the final details with the caterer and set up staff

• Check with volunteers to make sure all tasks are covered

• Setup registration area

• Check sound/light equipment and staging before rehearsal

• Hold final rehearsal

• Share via Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and WhatsApp

THE TEAM

Dedicated to growing the sport of boxing in the Middle East

Specialising in Professional Sport Event Production, Management and Consultancy

EVENT PRODUCTION

BROADCAST AGREEMENTS

Athlete Management/ADVISING

Marketing

Public Relations

Promotions

Sponsorships

Branding

pHILANTHROPy

TAZ KHAN

Boxing Executive

With over 25 years of professional sports/celebrity event management, production and consultancy, including boxing promotions and charitable events, Taz Khan has traveled the globe representing and negotiating contracts for some of the most recognized boxers and high profile fights in the professional boxing industry. he worked with some of the sports most noted athletes/champions including: Saul "Canelo" Alverez, Manny Pacquiao, Danny Garcia, Lamont Peterson, Chris Algieri and Terrence "Bud" Crawford, and many more.

As the Principal of Khan Boxing Promotions, Taz has a stable of fighters that he advises including the current WBC Silver Middleweight Champion Hamzah Sheeraz and Malik Zinad the WBC Mediterranean Light Heavyweight, WBF International Light Heavyweight,

and IBO Inter-Continental Light Heavyweight.

He is responsible for overseeing and advising his clients regarding sponsorships, endorsements, branding and imaging. In addition, he handles all aspects of their boxing careers including training camps, coaches, trainers and promoters.

EXPERIENCE

For over two decades Taz Khan has dedicated his career to professional boxing and garnered a respectable reputation thrughout the industry.

• Co-ordinating and developing boxing event productions from inception to completion
  
• Negotiating broadcast/PPV agreements
• Advising and managing athletes, procuring fitness professionals to train and coach
• Negotiating promotions, sponsorship and endorsement contracts
• Promoting clients through various forms of media
  
• Seeking branded partners
  
• Securing international public relations
  
• Ensuring compliance with rules and policies
  
• Facilitating logistics and co-ordinating teams for professional boxing training camps and fight week
• Developing, creating and executing charitable events
• Recruiting, training, supervising and developing all staff and volunteers needed

Specialising in Professional Sport:

Boxing & Cricket

Professional AthletE

Event Management

Athlete Management

EXPERT BOXING COMPLIANCE OFFICEr

EVENT STAFF MANAGEMENT

Boxing Coach

Boxing Trainer

Boxing Referee

Boxing Judge

THE TEAM

Dedicated to growing the sport of boxing in the Middle East

KAMRAN SHEERAZ

Boxing Executive

Involved in professional sport for over 25 years including as a professional Cricketer, Kam has played seven years with various teams including Shropshire, Bedfordshire, Rawalpindi B, and Gloucestershire.

He has also spent 14 years in amateur and professional boxing as a certified level 1 & 2 amateur boxing coach/trainer and has been with the R & J England major panel since 2010. Additionally, he has been an A grade Referee and Judge for the past eight years.

Since 2015, Kam has operated and managed boxers at MHS Boxing Ltd. With years of experience and knowledge working as a compliance manager, boxing coach, trainer referee and judge, he has amassed a team of experts to propel his son, Hamzah Sheeraz, to a 16-0 professional record who is the current WBC Silver Middleweight Champion, WBC International Silver Middleweight Champion and former WBO Super Welterweight European Champion.

EXPERIENCE

Kamran Sheeraz has not only dedicated his experience in professional sport to boxing as an executive and compliance officer, but to developing his son into a boxing champion.

• Monkstown Box Cup
• England vs Wales
• England vs Scotland
• Haringey Box Cup
• National Schoolboy Finals
• Senior Elite Finals
• Women’s Box Cup
• Senior Development Finals
• England Junior National Finals
• England Youth National Finals

• Managing athletes, procuring fitness professionals to train and coach
  
• Negotiating promotions, sponsorship and endorsement contracts
• Facilitating logistics and co-ordinating teams for professional boxing training camps and fight week
• Officiating sporting events, games, and competitions
• Judging performances in sporting competitions to determine a winner
• Inspecting sports equipment and examining all participants to ensure safety
• Keeping track of event times, starting or stopping play when necessary
• Signaling participants and other officials when infractions occur or to regulate play or competition
• Settling claims of infractions or complaints by participants
• Enforcing the rules of the game and assessing penalties when necessary
  

Specialising in legal and business matters in relation to boxing and other sports

Qualified solicitor of England & Wales

COntract negotiation

Contract execution

Finance

Investments

SPonsorships

Currently based in Dubai

THE TEAM

Dedicated to growing the sport of boxing in the Middle East

ADIL HUSSAIN

Boxing Executive

Adil is a qualified solicitor registered in England & Wales with over 20 years of experience gained at top tier international law firms and a leading investment bank. He is currently a senior equity partner at an international law firm.

Adil graduated from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London with a First Class LLB Honours and went on to complete the Legal Practice Course at The College of Law, London.

Whilst acting as General Counsel at a major investment bank in the City, he was shortlisted as finalist for “Best In-House Lawyer of the Year 2009” by The Lawyer magazine and was also a shortlisted candidate for the FT Innovative Lawyers 2009 Innovative Individual Award. Adil is a regular speaker at conferences and has authored a number of publications.

EXPERIENCE

Adil has dedicated his professional legal career to working in the UK as well as throughout the Middle East

• Practicing law in the Middle East for over 15 years
• Lived and worked in Bahrain, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Dubai
• Advises a number of boxers, promoters and managers on legal and business matters
• Advising boxers, managers and promoters in relation to Management and Promoter contracts.
  
• Assisting boxers with the negotiation and execution of sponsorship and endorsement contracts.
  
• Regularly advising boxers, managers and promoters in relation to their business and investment affairs
  
• Posting regular content on social media platforms to raise awareness about boxer rights
  
• Consecutively ranked as a leading lawyer by legal directories, such as the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, since 2009
  

Specialising in Professional Sport and Entertainment: Boxing, Billiards, & Music

Operations

MANAGEMENT

Marketing

Branding

Events

Public Relations

Television Director

Music

Non-Profits

THE TEAM

Dedicated to growing the sport of boxing in the Middle East

Kimberly Spies

Boxing Executive

With over 30+ years experience internationally in the sports and entertainment industries, Kimberly's client list has included world champion professional athletes, international musical artists and notable public figures. She is the current Co-Chairperson for the World Boxing Council's charity: WBC Cares Middle East.

Specialising in professional boxing and billiards and the operation of charitable organisations, she has worked with former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, heavyweight Fres Oquendo, and Hamzah Sheeraz, the current WBC SIiver Middleweight Champion. Whilst in billiards television, she has worked with Snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan, as well as pool legends Efren Reyes, Thorsten Hohmann, amongest many others. In the music industry she has worked with such artists as Mariah Carey, NAS, Will Smith, Ja Rule, and more.

As the current Co-Chairperson of WBC Cares Middle East Kimberly has developed the "Future Leaders Programme" meant to empower the youth through sportsmanship and the mindset of a champion, with the goal to equip the youth of ME through the basic principles of boxing: Sportsmanship, Diversity, Respect

EXPERIENCE

Kimberly Spies has dedicated her education and career to the sport and entertainment industries working with some of the most noted athletes and celebrities worldwide

• Brand Strategy
  
• Athlete Management/Advising
  
• Talent/Celebrity/Artist Management, & Representation
  
• Marketing
  
• Brand Development/Digital Branding
  
• Event Planning
  
• Social Media/Content Strategy, Execution, & Administration
  
• Sponsorships & Endorsements
  
• Proposals, Presentations, & Decks
  
• Strategic Alliances
  
• Public Relations/Publicity/Media Management
  
• Media Training
  
• Non-Profit Development/Community Relations/Fundraising/Events
  
• Television Director
  
• Broadcast Distribution
  

CONNECTIONS

Throughout their careers, the team has amassed relationships with the world's top organizations, fighters, promoters, broadcasters, coaches, trainers and media (including mainstream and top boxing media).

Boxing organisations

• WBC
• WBC MIDDLE EAST/WBC CARES MIDDLE EAST
• WBA
• WBO
• IBF
• IBO
  

PROMOTERS

• Frank Warren/Queensbury Promotions
  
• Eddie Hearn/Matchroom Boxing
• Bob Arum/ Top Rank Boxing
• Oscar De La Hoya/Golden Boy Promotions
• Al Haymon/ Premier Boxing Champions (PBC)
• Tom Brown/TGB Promotions
• Dmitry Salita/ Salita Promotions

Coaches/Trainers

• Freddie Roach
  
• Joe Goosen
• Ricky Funez
• Virgil Hunter
• Buddy McGirt
• Robert Garcia
• Antonio Tarver
• Joe Gallagher
• Justin Fortune
  

Media/Journalists

• BBC
  
• LA Times
  
• The Sun
  
• The Gaurdian
  
• TMZ Sports
  
• The Star
  
• OK Magazine
  
• Boxing Scene
  
• Behind The Gloves
• Boxing News 24
• Bad Left Hook
• ID Boxing News
• Supreme Boxing
• Boxing 247
• Elie Seckbach
• Radio Raheem
• Many more...

Broadcast

• HBO Boxing
  
• ShoBox
• Sky Sports Boxing
• BBC
• ITV

CONTACT

taz@hamzahsheeraz.co.uk

kam@hamzahsheeraz.co.uk

adil@hamzahsheeraz.co.uk