After taking six bullets to the chest less than two years ago, a former Mongols rider is now a boxing champion.
Back in June 2022, tragedy struck as Sam Abdulrahim found himself at the center of a violent shooting incident. He was attending his cousin’s funeral at Fawkner Cemetery in the northern suburbs of Melbourne.
He was admitted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Although in a critical condition, he survived. He remarked to his adversaries, “Allah is bigger than all these flops, they’ll get their day.”
Fast forward to today, and the narrative has shifted dramatically. The 34-year-old has won the WBC Australian cruiserweight championship by defeating Thailand’s Panya Chomphoophuang.
The Furlan Club in Melbourne was the intended meeting place for the match. But a few days before he was scheduled to enter the ring last month, the establishment caught fire.
Authorities suspect this incident is linked to the ongoing tobacco conflicts in Victoria. It hinted at underlying tensions between Abdulrahim and the exiled underworld figure, Kazem Hamad.
Undeterred by the setback, Abdulrahim showcased his unwavering determination by securing his title overseas. He delivered a knockout blow to Thailand’s Panya Chomphoophuang in the fifth round.
The bout culminated in a resounding victory, marked by a masterful uppercut that left his opponent reeling. After the match, Abdulrahim was ecstatic to have his new belt around his waist and was posing for team photos.
Taking to social media, Abdulrahim expressed his gratitude and joy, sharing a series of heartfelt posts on his Instagram page.
Recalling the fateful events of June 2022, Abdulrahim narrowly escaped a coordinated ambush orchestrated by assailants traveling in a Mazda. They opened fire into the kickboxer’s luxury automobile many times.
However, Abdulrahim was able to get away and drive to a neighboring police station to get assistance.
Abdulrahim’s journey shows that the most fearful challenges can be overcome.
Sam Abdulrahim, also known as ‘The Punisher’, won the WBC Australasian cruiserweight title in a boxing match in Bangkok, Thailand.
He secured the title with a knockout victory over local fighter Panya Chomphoophuang in the fifth round.
Abdulrahim, now undefeated in eight fights, has the potential to challenge for a world title following his recent victory.
Abdulrahim expressed gratitude to his team, sponsors, and the WBC Asia for the opportunity, celebrating his victory on Instagram.