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Afghanistan hosts first professional boxing match Afghan boxer Hamid Rahimi wins Kabul's first pro match
(about 3 hours later)
Afghanistan is hosting its first professional men's boxing match amid tight security in the capital Kabul. Millions of Afghans have watched a German-born Afghan win the country's first professional men's boxing match in the capital Kabul.
The 12-round bout is for the vacant World Boxing Organisation Intercontinental middleweight belt. Hamid Rahimi beat Tanzanian Said Mbelwa for the World Boxing Organisation Intercontinental middleweight belt.
German-born Afghan boxer Hamid Rahimi is taking on Tanzanian Said Mbelwa for the title. The match, which would have been banned under Taliban rule, took place amid tight security in the capital.
The match is being broadcast live, with millions of Afghans across the country expected to watch. The Taliban banned boxing towards the end of their rule. After the fight, Mr Rahimi described the win as a fresh beginning for the country.
Prominent Afghan figures including MPs and deputy ministers are at the venue to watch the fight. "Today it's a start," he said.
Organisers have dubbed the bout a "Fight 4 Peace" and say it is being hosted to make a statement of freedom to take part in sport in a country blighted by war and militancy for decades. "This belt is not mine, this belt is Afghanistan's, it's yours. I love you."
Correspondents say the fight is likely to be a sell-out and has attracted interest from fans all over the country. The match was broadcast live, with millions of Afghans across the country reportedly tuning in to watch.
'Overwhelming' excitement Prominent Afghan figures, including MPs and deputy ministers, watched the fight live at the venue.
Organisers dubbed the bout a "Fight 4 Peace" and said it was being hosted to make a statement of freedom to take part in sport in a country blighted by war and militancy for decades.
The Taliban banned boxing towards the end of their rule.
'Important message'
Tickets for the fight sold out, attracting interest from fans all over the country. One man told the BBC that he had risked a Taliban attack to make the journey from Logar province with his nine-year-old son.
Sabrina Saqib, a female former MP and professional volleyball player, said Afghanistan was eager for a sign of normal life.
''The world always sees Afghanistan through the window of war. So this game changes that. Although this was a fight, this was a fight for peace. [...] This is a huge achievement. Afghanistan has a young and talented generation who seek peace and stability," she told the BBC.
Mbelwa, 23, fights in the super-middleweight division and has a record of 31 fights with 19 wins, eight losses and four draws.Mbelwa, 23, fights in the super-middleweight division and has a record of 31 fights with 19 wins, eight losses and four draws.
Rahimi is six years older than his opponent and has won 20 of his 21 fights. He has been followed by hundreds of fans to each interview and public appearance he has made in the week leading up to Tuesday's event. Rahimi is six years older than his opponent and has won 20 of his 21 fights.
Speaking earlier this week, he said that only sport could bring deeply divided societies together and he hoped the "Fight 4 Peace" would do just that in Afghanistan. Ahead of the fight, Mbelwa said that he understood that the occasion was "a very special event for Afghanistan and sent a very important message for the whole world" but vowed to fight as hard as any other match once in the ring.
"The kids don't take guns, they come the sports way, and I believe in sports, I am a sportsman and I believe sport has the power and the magic to bring all people and all regions together. I hope it will bring peace to my hometown," he said. In the event, he was forced to admit defeat in the seventh round after retreating to his corner with a shoulder injury.
"The whole country is so excited and looking forward to the 'Fight 4 Peace'. It's simply overwhelming."
Mbelwa said that he understood that the occasion was "a very special event for Afghanistan and sent a very important message for the whole world".
"But once this bell rings it will be a boxing fight like any other. And I can promise you that I will be victorious. I am very well prepared and I am sure that I will knock out Rahimi in the fourth round," he said.