Iraq is a country with a rich history of boxing talent. Throughout the years, the country has produced some of the best boxers in the world.
From the days of Muhammad Ali to the modern era of boxers such as Saad Al-Azzawi and Ali Al-Najafi, Iraq has always been a power in the sport. Today, the country is home to some of the top amateur and professional boxers in the world.
This article will provide an overview of some of the best boxing players in Iraq. We will look at their accomplishments, styles, and background to give you a better understanding of the Iraqi boxing scene.
1. Waheed Abdul-Ridha
Waheed Abdul-Ridha Waheed Karaawi is a professional Iraqi boxer. He participated in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in the middleweight men’s event. Unfortunately, he was not able to progress beyond the round of 32, as he was defeated by Misael Rodríguez.
Despite this, Waheed was given the honor of being the flag bearer for Iraq at the Parade of Nations. This was a proud moment for Waheed, as it was a recognition of his hard work and dedication to the sport of boxing.
Waheed’s presence at the Olympics was an important moment for Iraq, as it showed that the nation was still capable of competing on the world stage.
2. Ismail Salman
Ismail Khalil Salman is a professional boxer from Iraq. He first competed in the Olympics at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, Russia. He competed in the Lightweight division but did not take home any medals from the games.
Four years later, he returned to the Olympics at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, USA. Again, he competed in the Lightweight division but was unfortunately unable to take home any medals.
Nonetheless, Ismail Khalil Salman’s participation in two Olympic Games is an impressive accomplishment in and of itself, and it demonstrates his dedication and commitment to his sport.
3. Abbas Zeghayer
Abbas Zeghayer is an Iraqi boxer who had the opportunity to compete in the men’s light flyweight event at the 1984 Summer Olympics. He had the honor of representing his country at the Olympics and he worked hard to get to that point.
Unfortunately, despite his best efforts, he was unable to come away with the victory in this event. His opponent was William Bagonza of Uganda, and it was Bagonza who emerged victorious.
Zeghayer may have been disappointed with the outcome of his Olympic appearance, but it is a testament to his talent and dedication that he was able to make it to the Olympics in the first place. He will undoubtedly remain an inspiration to Iraqi boxers for years to come.
4. Furas Hashim
Furas Hashim is an Iraqi boxer who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics. He was in the light-middleweight division, which is an Olympic boxing weight class for fighters between 154 and 165 pounds. In his first bout, Hashim was victorious against his opponent, Miguel Jiménez.
However, he was unable to carry his success into his second bout, losing to Maselino Masoe. Despite the loss, Hashim was proud to represent his country in the Olympics, and he is a symbol of Iraq’s commitment to Olympic excellence.
5. Taha Abdul Karim
Taha Abdul Karim was an Iraqi boxer who made history by competing in the 1960 Summer Olympics. Karim was born and raised in Iraq and trained in boxing since his early teenage years. He had a successful amateur career and competed in multiple local and regional tournaments.
Karim’s hard work and dedication eventually earned him a spot in the 1960 Summer Olympics, making him the first ever Iraqi boxer to qualify for the Games. Karim’s Olympic run was short-lived, however, as he was eliminated in the first round.
Nevertheless, Karim’s participation in the Olympics was a huge milestone for Iraq and its boxing community. It highlighted the potential of Iraqi athletes and inspired many others to follow in his footsteps.
Karim’s legacy has been preserved in Iraq, and his name is still widely celebrated among boxing fans. Although Karim’s Olympic journey may have been short, his accomplishments are still remembered and appreciated in Iraq.
He paved the way for future generations and his efforts will continue to be a source of inspiration for all aspiring athletes in the country. Karim’s legacy will live on as a reminder that hard work and dedication can lead to greatness.
6. Khalid Al-Karkhi
Khalid Al-Karkhi was an Iraqi boxer who found success by competing in the 1960 and 1964 Summer Olympics. He was part of the Iraqi Olympic team and was determined to bring glory to his country. Al-Karkhi was a passionate boxer and trained hard to reach his goals.
During the 1960 Summer Olympics, he competed in the flyweight division, and during the 1964 Summer Olympics he competed in the bantamweight division. Although he was unable to bring home a medal, he made his country proud with his notable performances.
Al-Karkhi’s dedication and commitment to the sport of boxing serves as an inspiration to all aspiring athletes. His determination and perseverance will be remembered for years to come.
7. Youssef Anwer
Youssef Anwer is a boxer from Iraq who competed in the men’s featherweight event at the 1964 Summer Olympics. He was among the many talented athletes from around the world who were competing in the Olympic Games.
Unfortunately, he did not achieve a podium finish at the 1964 Summer Olympics. He was defeated in the Round of 32 by José Antonio Duran, a boxer from Mexico.
Despite the loss, Youssef Anwer’s performance at the 1964 Summer Olympics is remembered as an impressive feat of athleticism and skill. He showed that he was a capable athlete, and his legacy of representing Iraq in the Olympics will live on.
8. Samir Khenyab
Samir Khenyab was a boxer from Iraq who competed in the 1980 and 1984 Summer Olympics. In the 1980 Olympics, he had a successful run, however at the 1984 Olympics he faced defeat.
His opponent in the 1984 Olympics was Hugh Russell of Ireland, and unfortunately Khenyab was not able to secure a win against him. Khenyab’s defeat was not in vain as it marked a major milestone in his boxing career.
His performance in the 1984 Olympics showed his dedication to the sport and his willingness to take on any challenge, regardless of the outcome. Despite his defeat, Khenyab has gone on to have a successful career in boxing and is highly respected in the sport.
His defeat at the 1984 Olympics serves as a reminder of his determination and dedication to the sport, and of the importance of perseverance even in the face of defeat.
9. Sadie Jaffar Mohammed
Sadie Jaffar Mohammed was an Iraqi boxer who participated in the 1980 Summer Olympics. He was in the men’s welterweight event, which is a boxing division for fighters weighing up to 147 pounds. This division is known for its fast-paced, hard-hitting style of boxing.
Sadie Jaffar Mohammed was an important figure in Iraqi boxing during the 1980s and was a well-known and respected athlete. He was the pride of Iraq, representing his country in the Olympics and displaying his incredible skills in the boxing ring.
Sadie Jaffar Mohammed was a symbol of Iraq’s strength and pride, and his achievements in the Olympics were a source of great pride for his country.
Despite the difficulties of the time, Sadie Jaffar Mohammed was able to demonstrate his talent and strength in the ring, showing that Iraq was still a formidable force despite the political turmoil.
His presence in the Olympics was an inspiration to many and showed that Iraq was still capable of greatness.
10. Ali Abdul Zahra Jawad
Ali Abdul Zahra Jawad is an accomplished athlete from Iraq who has made a name for himself in the boxing world. He is best known for his participation in the men’s featherweight event at the 1980 Summer Olympics.
This was a huge accomplishment for him, as it was the first time Iraq had ever been represented at the Olympics. Jawad had been boxing since he was a young boy, learning from his father who was also a boxer.
He went on to win multiple local and regional boxing championships, gaining recognition from his peers and the boxing community.
This success eventually led to his selection for the 1980 Olympic team. At the Olympics, Jawad fought in the men’s featherweight event, facing off against some of the toughest boxers in the world.
Although he didn’t win a medal, he still put on a great performance and represented Iraq with pride. Since then, Jawad has continued to be a successful athlete.
He has trained many aspiring boxers in his native Iraq and has even gone on to coach the Iraqi boxing team in the 2004 Summer Olympics. He has been an inspiration to many people and a reminder that, with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.
11. Farouk Chanchoun
Farouk Chanchoun was an Iraqi boxer who gained recognition for his athletic achievements. He competed in the men’s light welterweight event at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, Russia. This event is a boxing category that includes boxers weighing in at 64-66 kilograms.
Chanchoun was the first Iraqi boxer to compete in the Olympics, and his performance was highly regarded by the Iraqi public. He won his first match against American boxer Danny Bell but was defeated in the second match by the Cuban boxer Juan Hernández Sierra.
His success in the games was an inspiration to many other boxers in Iraq and he was seen as a national hero. After the Olympics, Chanchoun went on to have a successful career in boxing.
He won numerous titles and accolades in the Middle East, including a gold medal in the 1981 Arab Games. He also won several awards from the Iraqi government for his contribution to the sport, cementing his place as one of the best boxers in Iraq.
Although Farouk Chanchoun has since retired, he is still remembered for his achievements in the ring and his contribution to the sport of boxing. His legacy has been immortalized in Iraq, and he will always be remembered as one of the greatest boxers to come out of the country.
12. Farid Salman Mahdi
Farid Salman Mahdi is an Iraqi boxer who is known for his achievements in the boxing world. He had the opportunity to compete in the men’s light flyweight event at the 1980 Summer Olympics.
This was a major achievement for Mahdi, as it was a great honor for him to represent Iraq in the international competition.
He was the first boxer from Iraq to compete in the Olympics, and he made the most of the opportunity. Mahdi put up a brave fight against his opponents, as he was up against some of the best boxers from around the world.
Despite the odds, he managed to make it to the semi-finals, showing that he was a serious competitor. Although he did not win the event, he made his country proud with his performance. The 1980 Summer Olympics was a memorable event for Mahdi, as it was a milestone for him.
He was the first Iraqi boxer to compete in the Olympics, and he was able to make his country proud with his performance. Mahdi has since gone on to become a successful boxer, and he is still remembered for his achievements at the 1980 Summer Olympics.
13. Moustafa Mohammed Saleh
Moustafa Mohammed Saleh is an Iraqi boxer who competed in the men’s bantamweight event at the 1988 Summer Olympics. He was representing Iraq in the competition, but unfortunately his Olympic dream came to an end in the opening round of the tournament.
Saleh faced off against John Lowey of Ireland, and after a hard fought battle, Lowey emerged as the victor in the bout. This defeat was a huge disappointment for Saleh, but it did not stop him from continuing to pursue his dreams.
He continued to train and fight in the years following the Olympics, and although he never reached the same heights as he did in 1988, he went on to have a successful boxing career.
14. Salah Jassim Beden
Salah Jassim Beden was an Iraqi boxer who competed in the 1980 Summer Olympics. He was part of the men’s light middleweight event, which is a classification for boxers in the 75- to 79-kg weight range.
Beden had a successful Olympic career, as he earned a bronze medal in the event. He was the first athlete from Iraq to win a medal at the Olympics, and his performance in the light middleweight division provided an example for future Iraqi athletes to strive for.
He was viewed as a national hero for his accomplishments and was even awarded a medal of honor from the Iraqi government for his achievement. Beden’s success at the Olympics has inspired other athletes from Iraq to pursue their dreams and compete at the highest level.
He has become an icon of the Iraqi sporting world, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations to strive for greatness.
Conclusion
The best boxing players in Iraq have proven themselves to be some of the most impressive athletes in the world. They have impressive records in the sport and have consistently placed high in international competitions.
Their commitment to training and perfecting their craft has helped them achieve greatness and inspires many aspiring boxers. With their dedication and skill, these boxers are sure to continue to be some of the most formidable opponents in the world of boxing.
