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Back to the start – Daté delights in Dubai date


Rohan Daté goes back to where it all began for him as a pro after securing a slot on an undercard of former world champion Badou Jack at Five Palm Jumeirah, Dubai on May 3rd.

The Waterford native will take on will take on Girapan Boonpeng of Thailand over six rounds on the high profile card. 

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Former Olympic hopeful and 7 time Irish champion returns to the Middle East and the place where he rediscovered his love for the sport. 

The 25-year-old’s pro debut played out in the UAE and he registered two knockout wins in Ahdaaf Sports Club, Dubai back in 2016 before relocating to London and securing fights in Dublin, Waterford and the English capital. 

It’s back to Dubai for Date now and he is hopeful a win on May 3rd will open doors toward bigger fights in the region.

“This is exactly the reason I stuck around here, because I always knew the potential Dubai had for hosting big fights, and I’m glad someone like Badou Jack is paving the way for mega-fights with his productions,” said Date.

“I’d love to be able to headline his later events in the UAE and bring an intercontinental North African or Middle East title to the region. At the moment I’ve been trying to get an Irish title, but I’m still learning and the goal is to get to 10 fights and push for more.”

“Being in Dubai has given me that love for the sport again, because it’s new here and I’m seeing it through the eyes of others who are new to it, and that’s bringing back for me. I had completely turned my back on it as an amateur, but have been given new life as a boxer.”

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Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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