ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdish-Yazidi boxer, Badien Hasso, retained his international World Boxing Council (WBC) title as a heavyweight champion in Germany in a decisive match on Friday after becoming the first Kurdish fighter to attain the title in May.
Hasso, who became the first Kurdish world heavyweight champion in May, defeated his opponent, David Kerkmann, by knockout in the second round, bringing his total fight record to 24 bouts - all of them wins, including 13 by knockout.
“I dedicate this belt to every Kurd across the entire world,” he told Rudaw’s Zinar Shino after the match. “A huge thank you to every Kurd who supported me across all four parts of Kurdistan."
Born in the city of Sheikhan in the Kurdistan Region, Hasso is known for donning the Kurdish flag before matches. Hasso has achieved several notable titles in the middleweight division, including the WBC Asia Championship and the WBC International Silver Title.
“The immediate goal is to organize a major event on Kurdish soil, allowing Hasso to defend his crown in front of his home crowd,” a WBC statement said.
When he won his third championship at the International WBC championship in Germany in late May, Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani congratulated him.
“It is truly a source of pride and happiness that Kurdish youth continue to achieve major victories in international sports arenas and introduce the name of Kurd and Kurdistan to the world,” he said on X.
