Qatar's first professional boxer Sheikh Fahad Khalid Al Thani (right) poses for a photograph with his trainer Ishmel Antonio Salas.
Qatari boxing pro Sheikh Fahad Khalid Al Thani, unbeaten in his young career, is preparing for his next bout in Madrid with aims of taking his career to greater heights in the coming years.
The 29-year-old beat Marcus Racaru less than two weeks ago, a win that gave Sheikh Fahad - Qatar's only pro fighter - a 5-0 card.
And this, Sheikh Fahad believes, is just the beginning of good things to come his way.
"I am in great condition. All of my wins have been by way of KO. I am very pleased about my performances and wish to continue in the same vein as I get better in the ring," Fahad said during a candid chat with The Peninsula.
Sheikh Fahad, who calls Mohammed Ali his all-time favourite boxer, took time out to answer a quick round of Q&A:
Question: How was your last fight?
Answer: I took on Marcus Racaru who's a southpaw with an extensive amateur pedigree. It was my first time facing a southpaw in the pros. The fight took place in Club Entrena in Barcelona. The same venue also saw former junior middleweight champion Liam Smith from Liverpool make a comeback win after a loss to Saul Canelo Alvarez.
Question: What is your boxing card like now? How many wins, losses etc?
Answer: As a Pro I am 5-0. All of my wins have been by way of KO. I am very pleased about my performances and wish to continue in the same vein as I get better in the ring. I am satisfied with my fitness and I showed improvement in my ability to make adjustments during the fight. Since January I was working more on my right hand.
Question: Have you boxed in Qatar?
Answer: I have boxed in Qatar but as an amateur in Doha Open tournament in which I got a silver medal in the welterweight class. I feel in the pro ranks there is still a need to develop a professional boxing commission in order for myself to compete in front of the Qatari fans.
Question: When is your next fight?
Answer: My next flight is scheduled to be held on April 22, in Madrid Spain
Question: What is your ultimate ambition?
Answer: My ultimate ambition is not only to win a major title but to submit a legacy for young Qataris to reach excellence in sports.
Question: What is your age and when did you start boxing?
Answer: I start boxing at the age of 16 but my love for boxing was from a very young age listening to my mother speak to me about how everybody would be glued to their TV sets whenever Ali spoke or fought his arch-rival Smokin Joe Frazier from that I started watching the great champion Roberto Duran
Question: What is your training regime like? How many hours a week etc?
Answer: It depends on where I am at a particular time and how close to a fight I am. There is the fitness part that I do with my S&C coach Franck Bohec. Then I manage my strategy, tactics and implementation of techniques with Ishmel Antonio Salas.
Question: Who is your all-time favourite boxer and why?
Answer: Muhammad Ali is my all-time favourite boxer why not?! I love the way he boxed because of his great skill set but also his charisma and character was just larger than a boxing ring.
Question: Has your career given you satisfaction as a boxer?
Answer: Not satisfied as I believe there is much more to learn and achieve. I will continue to strive to be a better boxer.
Question: How is the scene of boxing in Qatar?
Answer: It is in a swift growth, not only because of my career but also because boxing is becoming more of a global sport and that will bring more room for Qatar to be a hub for boxing in the region.
