Rola El-Halabi
Encyclopedia
Rola El-Halabi (born in Beirut
, Lebanon
on 17 March 1985) is a professional German
boxer
of Lebanese
origin and double world champion in the WIBF
and WIBA
.
She immigrated to Germany with her family when she was just 1. In 1994 she started in kickboxing
and Thai kickboxing, and in 1996 in amateur boxing. After becoming champion runner-up in kickboxing and multiple German champion in the International Amateur Boxing, she turned professional in 2006. On 30 September 2007, Rola El-Halabi became European champion of the Women's International Boxing Federation
(WIBF) in the lightweight division. In October 2008, she was honored as outstanding female athlete in Ulm
. On 5 June 2009, she won the world title by WIBF and Women's International Boxing Association
(WIBA) after defeating Spanish Loly Munoz.
On 1 April 2011 just before a title fight against the Bosnian Irma Adler in Berlin-Karlshorst, her stepfather and former manager Roy El-Halabi shot her in her hand, knee and both feet, after his management contract was terminated in January 2011. He also shot two security guards before being arrested.
Until March 2010, she won 11 out of 11 matches (with 6 KOs):
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
, Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
on 17 March 1985) is a professional German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
of Lebanese
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
origin and double world champion in the WIBF
Women's International Boxing Federation
The WIBF is, along with the WIBA, IWBF and others, one of the more recognized world championship fight sanctioning organizations in women's boxing. The organization is based in Miami, Florida, and is not associated with male boxing's IBF.The WIBF was formed in the middle 1990s. It is presided by...
and WIBA
Women's International Boxing Association
The Women's International Boxing Association a sanctioning body for women's professional boxing came into existence in July 2000, and quickly grew into a major force in the sport....
.
She immigrated to Germany with her family when she was just 1. In 1994 she started in kickboxing
Kickboxing
Kickboxing refers to a group of martial arts and stand-up combat sports based on kicking and punching, historically developed from karate, Muay Thai and western boxing....
and Thai kickboxing, and in 1996 in amateur boxing. After becoming champion runner-up in kickboxing and multiple German champion in the International Amateur Boxing, she turned professional in 2006. On 30 September 2007, Rola El-Halabi became European champion of the Women's International Boxing Federation
Women's International Boxing Federation
The WIBF is, along with the WIBA, IWBF and others, one of the more recognized world championship fight sanctioning organizations in women's boxing. The organization is based in Miami, Florida, and is not associated with male boxing's IBF.The WIBF was formed in the middle 1990s. It is presided by...
(WIBF) in the lightweight division. In October 2008, she was honored as outstanding female athlete in Ulm
Ulm
Ulm is a city in the federal German state of Baden-Württemberg, situated on the River Danube. The city, whose population is estimated at 120,000 , forms an urban district of its own and is the administrative seat of the Alb-Donau district. Ulm, founded around 850, is rich in history and...
. On 5 June 2009, she won the world title by WIBF and Women's International Boxing Association
Women's International Boxing Association
The Women's International Boxing Association a sanctioning body for women's professional boxing came into existence in July 2000, and quickly grew into a major force in the sport....
(WIBA) after defeating Spanish Loly Munoz.
On 1 April 2011 just before a title fight against the Bosnian Irma Adler in Berlin-Karlshorst, her stepfather and former manager Roy El-Halabi shot her in her hand, knee and both feet, after his management contract was terminated in January 2011. He also shot two security guards before being arrested.
Kickboxing and Thai kickboxing
She had 20 fights with 17 wins (8 with KO) and 3 defeats. In addition, she was:- Baden-Wuerttemberg kickboxing champion in 2001
- German Champion Kickboxing 2003
- Nations Cup champion kickboxing 2004
- German Champion Kickboxing 2004
- International German Champion Thai Boxing 2004
- Kickboxing World Cup winner 2004
- Vice European Champion Kickboxing 2004
- Vice World Champion Kickboxing 2005
Boxing
She had 22 amateur boxing fights, with 18 victories (3 with KO), 4 losses. In 2004 she took part in the European Championship. She was also:- International Tiroler Champion 2002
- Ceresit-Cup winner in 2002
- Bavarian Champion 2003
- International German Champion 2003
- International German Champion 2004
- South German Champion 2005
- Dolomitencup Winner 2005
- Polencup Winner 2006
- International German Champion 2006
Professional boxing record
- Charlotte von Baumgarten (Germany) (Technical KO in first round - 10 June 2007)
- Sabrina Stegner (Germany) (KO in first round- 4 August 2007)
- Galina Gumliiska (Bulgaria) (Points in 10 rounds - 30 September 2007)
- Borislava Goranova (Bulgaria) (Points in 4 rounds- 4 December 2007)
- Elisabejta Suerica (Romania) (KO in first round - 9. February 2008)
- Marina Kohlgruber (Germany) (Points in 10 rounds - 26 July 2008)
- Eva Santa (Serbia) (KO in 5th round - 16 November 2008)
- Loly Munoz (Spain) (Points in 10 rounds - 5 June 2009)
- Agnese Boza (Latvia) (KO in 4th round - 4 September 2009)
- Mia St. John (USA) (Technical KO in 5th round - 20 March 2010)
- Olga Bojare (Latvia) (Points in 6 rounds - 4 June 2010)