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Dubai: The UAE's only professional boxer Eisa Al Dah is preparing to fight in Britain later this month in the next stage of his career.
Al Dah has been lined-up to face a British-based boxer at the Newport Centre in Wales on October 24.
The UAE boxer has obtained a professional boxing licence from the UK authorities and has signed a three-year contract with UK-based Bristol Boxing Limited.
Al Dah said: "Things will no longer be the same for me again. I want to fight professionally at least once a month.
"My aim is to first go for the British title. After that I will look towards the US."
The fight card for October 24 also features former Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jamie Arthur in the Super Featherweight for the Celtic title.
The Celtic title is the Champion of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Promoter's plan
Chris Sanigar of Bristol Boxing Limited: "Our plan is to box Eisa Al Dah in a series of fights in the UK and Dubai to enable him to gain his full potential," remarked
Al Dah said moving to fight in the UK was an important step in his career.
He said: "Boxing is huge in the UK and it is important that I get there as soon as I can.
"There I will be able to have a proper coach, manager, training facilities and lead my life as a proper professional."
Dubbed the Arabian Warrior, life has not been easy for Al Dah since winning his first fight by knocking out Larry Foster in March 2007. He impressed in his second fight with a clear win against challenger David Love.
"But it has been hard for me as I have to do everything myself," said Al Dah.
Fortunately for the fighter, Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim of Hydra Properties stepped in to sponsor him.
"That has taken off a lot of pressure from me. I realise this is a rare opportunity for me to go and fight in the UK. I will do my best there," promised the UAE boxer.
The promoter has drawn up a programme for the boxer which will see Al Dah fight at least four times by March 2009.
The 29-year-old UAE national said fighting in the UK would be a tough challenge.
He said: "I will not have too many people supporting me. I know it will be hard for me, but I want my country to be proud of what I am setting out to achieve."
Briton backs fighter
Great Britain's Olympic boxing silver medallist Amir Khan has invited Eisa Al Dah to train with him.
Khan, who turned professional in 2005, came to Dubai to meet Al Dah and said he was impressed with the UAE fighter.
"What Eisa is doing here, and that too all by himself, is simply brilliant," Khan told Gulf News.
"I am here to tell him that I support his ambitions to be the best. He can come and train with me when he is in the UK. I will make everything available so that he can pursue his dreams," Khan promised.
Al Dah was thrilled to meet his boxing hero, saying: "This is the happiest day of my life."
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