Mohamed Touizi has set his sights on the kickboxing world title after beating Ricardo Hilario to win the K1 Intercontinental flyweight belt in Abu Dhabi.
The Emirati took a points decision over the Portuguese in the co-main event of the sixth K1 Pro Night on Saturday, to extend his kickboxing record to 10 wins against one loss.
Touizi, 25, started off strongly before coasting through the later rounds, scoring in four rounds of the five-round contest and safe in the knowledge he had done enough to win the fight and secure the belt.
“I was well prepared. My team studied Ricardo’s strengths and weaknesses and I successfully executed those plans. Every fighter comes with game plans, which doesn’t always work, but it worked for me perfectly on the night,” Touizi told The National following his win at Space 42 Arena.
“Ricardo is a well-rounded fighter with powerful kicks and good boxing muscles. My game plan was to counter his strengths and exploit his weaknesses. I used my push kicks to avoid some of his strengths.
“I think I was well ahead of Ricardo going into the final round and played it safe as I had also suffered some hard blows to my legs and they were starting to hurt.”
Touizi was given a rousing reception by the home fans as he left the ring, with supporters carrying the Emirati back to the locker room as he proudly clung to his belt.
“I really am grateful for the fans for standing behind me in support and that obviously is the advantage of competing at home,” he said.
“Every bit of encouragement and cheer from the fans gave me strength and confidence and urged me to give my best inside the ring. I thank them all from the bottom of my heart.”
Victory has moved Touizi a step closer to earning a world title shot in kickboxing, though he said he has not discussed any plans with the UAE Muaythai and Kickboxing Federation.
“I would assume I have earned a shot at the world title but that’s for our federation to decide because we have a big squad to choose from,” he said when asked what was next for him.
“Right now, I’m going to celebrate this win, which is my biggest in kickboxing so far. It has been a long and tough journey, but I have enjoyed every moment of it and super excited tonight for the reward of all that hard work.”
Touizi already has a world title in Muaythai, having won gold in the IFMA U23 World Championship in Abu Dhabi in 2022.
He’s now hopeful of following compatriot Ilyass Habibali’s path of being a world champion in both combat sports.
“I have come out of this fight well and will be back in the gym to continue my training after a short break. It’s too early to speak of my plans but I’ll be ready for anything that the federation will schedule for me,” Touizi added.
“The world title is definitely a step up. The federation will plan what I do next and obviously take one step at a time. But yes, a shot at the world title should be next, I guess.”
Nikola Todorovic took home the super middleweight title belt after Jordi Coronado’s corner threw the towel early in the third round after the Spaniard suffered a hand injury.
Coronado held his left hand after taking a full blow from a Todorovic kick and his corner was quick to respond to avoid their fighter receiving any further punishment
“This is the moment I have been waiting for a long time and this is the ultimate prize for all the work that has gone into to become a world champion,” Serbian Todorovic said.
