Boxing has been a popular sport in Tunisia for many years, and the country has produced some of the best boxers in the world. Tunisia has been a powerhouse in the sport, boasting several world champions and many other fighters who have competed at the highest level.
From the legendary Mohamed Alioui to the current crop of rising stars, Tunisian boxers have made a mark on the boxing world. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best boxers to hail from Tunisia.
1. Yahia Elmekachari
Yahia El-Mekachari is a talented Tunisian light heavyweight amateur boxer who was chosen to compete at the 2012 Olympics. He had an impressive resume coming into the Olympic games, having won the African Championships and the 2011 Pan-Arab Games.
Unfortunately, at the All-Africa Games 2011, he lost to eventual winner Abdelhafid Benchebla with a score of 7:14. Despite this defeat, El-Mekachari was undeterred and continued to strive for greatness.
He was rewarded for his perseverance when he was selected to compete at the 2012 Olympics.
This was a testament to El-Mekachari’s skill and tenacity, and it is clear that despite the difficult loss at the All-Africa Games, he was still able to achieve his dream of competing in the Olympics.
2. Victor Perez
Messaoud Hai Victor Perez was a Tunisian Jewish boxer who made history by becoming the World Flyweight Champion in 1931 and 1932. Born in Tunisia, he fought under the ring name “Young Perez” and was managed by Leon Bellier.
Perez was a respected athlete and an inspiration to many, as he was the first Tunisian to hold a world title in any sport. Unfortunately, Perez’s life was tragically cut short. During the Holocaust, he was murdered by the Nazis for being Jewish.
His death was a loss to the world of boxing and a reminder of the devastating impact of the Holocaust. His legacy, however, lives on, as he is remembered as a brave fighter and an inspirational champion. He will never be forgotten.
3. Kamel Bou Ali
Kamel Bou Ali was a professional boxer from Tunisia who had an illustrious career in the sport. He competed from 1977 to 1993, and during that time he made a name for himself in the boxing world.
In 1989, Bou Ali achieved a great accomplishment by winning the WBO (World Boxing Organization) Super Featherweight title. He held on to that title for a total of three years, until 1992. Bou Ali was known for his impressive footwork and his ability to outlast his opponents.
He was a fan favorite and his fights were always highly anticipated events. He was an inspiration to the people of Tunisia and his success in the ring showed people that anything was possible. His career is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport of boxing.
4. Tahar Ben Hassen
Tahar Ben Hassen, also known as Tamar Ben Hassan, is a former Tunisian boxer. He is one of the most successful boxers in Tunisia, winning multiple national titles in his career. Ben Hassen was born in Tunisia and began his boxing career as a youth.
He went on to become a professional boxer and competed in various international tournaments. He was well-known for his aggression in the ring and for his strength and stamina.
His career spanned over two decades, in which he competed in a variety of weight classes, winning multiple championships in each one. He retired in 2006, having amassed an impressive record of victories.
His success in the sport earned him recognition and accolades from his peers and fans alike. Today, Ben Hassen is a respected figure in the boxing community and is still fondly remembered by many.
5. Habib Galhia
Habib Galhia was a Tunisian boxer who made history in 1964 when he became the first Tunisian to win an Olympic medal. That year he won the bronze medal in the Light Welterweight category at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
His achievement was the first time a Tunisian athlete had ever won an Olympic medal, making his accomplishment even more impressive. Four years later, Habib Galhia participated in the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.
Although he didn’t win a medal this time, he still finished in a respectable 17th place overall. This further showcases his talent as an athlete and his dedication to his sport. Habib Galhia’s legacy will continue to inspire athletes from Tunisia for generations to come.
He will always be remembered as the first Tunisian to win an Olympic medal, and as someone who represented his country with pride and distinction. His accomplishments will forever be remembered.
6. Taoufik Belbouli
Taoufik Belbouli is an esteemed retired French Tunisian professional boxer. He was the WBA cruiserweight champion from 1989 to 1990 but unfortunately had to give up the title due to an injury.
Belbouli had a decorated career in the ring, with an impressive record of 33 wins, 2 draws, and 8 losses.
His most notable victories include a knockout win over former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks in 1989 and a points decision win over former WBA cruiserweight champion Carlos De Leon in 1988.
During his reign as the WBA cruiserweight champion, Belbouli was forced to relinquish the title after suffering an injury in a match against American boxer Jimmy Thunder. After the injury, Belbouli was forced to retire from boxing for health reasons.
Despite his short reign as champion, Belbouli is fondly remembered by boxing fans for his skill and courage in the ring. The memory of Taoufik Belbouli’s career in the ring will always be remembered in the boxing world.
He was a champion in and out of the ring, and his courage and skill will remain an inspiration for future generations of boxers.
7. Fethi Missaoui
Fethi Missaoui was a famous Tunisian boxer who achieved great success in his sport. Born in Tunisia, Missaoui began his boxing career at an early age and quickly became one of the most successful boxers in the country.
He went on to represent Tunisia at the 1996 Summer Olympics, where he won the light welterweight bronze medal. The victory was a significant achievement for both Missaoui and Tunisia, and it was celebrated by the entire country.
Missaoui’s success at the Olympics also helped to inspire others in Tunisia to pursue a career in boxing. To this day, Missaoui is remembered as one of Tunisia’s most famous boxers, and his Olympic medal is a symbol of his success.
8. Naoufel Ben Rabah
Naoufel Ben Rabah was a Tunisian boxer who had a successful career from 2001 to 2013. Born in Tunisia, he was selected to represent his country at the 2000 Summer Olympics. Unfortunately, he was unable to progress past the first round of the competition.
During his professional boxing career, Ben Rabah twice challenged for the IBF light welterweight title between 2006 and 2007. He was unsuccessful in his attempts, but still had a successful career, with his last fight held in 2013.
Ben Rabah was an inspirational figure for many aspiring boxers in Tunisia, and his career was a testament to his hard work and dedication.
9. Moez Zemzemi
Moez Zemzemi is a boxer from Tunisia who had the honor of representing his country at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. This was a great opportunity for Zemzemi and he was determined to make the most of it.
Unfortunately, he was stopped in the first round of the men’s bantamweight competition by the eventual gold medalist, Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Zemzemi should be proud of his accomplishment in making it all the way to the Olympics and giving his best effort. His experience and determination will undoubtedly serve him well in the future.
10. Aldo Cosentino
Aldo Cosentino is a French boxer who has had an impressive career. He is best known for his appearances at the Summer Olympics, having competed in 1968, 1972 and 1976.
He was part of the French nation’s boxing team during these years and is remembered for his impressive performances at the Games. In addition to competing at the Summer Olympics, Aldo Cosentino has had a successful career in the sport of boxing.
He has competed in numerous competitions, both nationally and internationally, and has had great success in many of them. He has won numerous titles in his career, including the French National Championship in 1969.
He also competed at the European Championships in 1973 and 1977 and at the Mediterranean Games in 1975. Aldo Cosentino’s impressive career has earned him a great level of respect in the sport of boxing. He is a highly respected boxer, both in France and around the world.
His hard work and dedication to the sport have earned him a place in the history books, and he will always be remembered for his impressive accomplishments.
11. Ikram Kerwat
Ikram Kerwat is a professional boxer from Tunisia who has made a name for himself in the boxing world.
Born on March 18, 1984, in Béja, Tunisia, he is a Tunisian-German boxer who has competed in many international competitions. Kerwat is a Middleweight boxer and has earned a number of titles in his career.
He won the WBC International Middleweight Championship in 2011 by defeating fellow Tunisian boxer Hesham Ali.
He was also the winner of the WBC Mediterranean title and the WBF Intercontinental title. Kerwat has also competed in the Olympic Games, representing Tunisia in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Although he didn’t medal, he did manage to win his first-round match against his opposition from India. Kerwat has also been successful in the professional world and is a successful promoter of boxing in his home country.
He has held a number of boxing events in Tunisia, helping to promote the sport and encouraging more people to take up the sport. Ikram Kerwat is an inspiring figure in the boxing world and his success in the sport is a testament to his determination and hard work.
He is a true champion and a great ambassador for the sport of boxing.
Conclusion
Tunisia has some of the best boxers in the world. These boxers have accomplished great feats in the boxing world and have achieved international recognition for their skill and performance.
The Tunisian boxing scene is also growing in popularity with more people taking up the sport as a hobby or competitively. With the right training and dedication, Tunisian boxers can continue to develop and compete at the highest level.
