Boxing makes comeback in Libya
Boxing is making a comeback in Libya after being banned by Muammar Gaddafi since 1979.
It was considered as a savage sport and banned by the former Libyan leader. Now, after his death, the sport is getting off the canvas again.
In Tripoli, Sofiyan al-Bassar hits an opponent in the face, splitting his lower lip and knocking him off balance before rushing in to try to finish him off.
"Stop! Stop!" yells a stocky man as he pulls the 23-year-old back.
Bassar and Ramzi Abdulhadi al-Haji are are among the first enthusiastic young men to join a newly opened boxing club in the city.
The club, which is still to be named, operates from what used to be a regular meeting place of Gaddafi diehards.
"We are relaunching the sport that we love, but he hated, from one of his own places," coach Dris Ali Mohammed, says.
'SAVAGE SPORT'
"Gaddafi banned boxing because he thought it was a savage sport. But he had no problems hanging and killing people," says Mohammed.
Gaddafi was killed on October 20 last year, ending his 42 years of rule.
Mohammed says he was part of the last international boxing championship in which Libya participated, in Venezuela in 1979.
Now 63, he says he took part in the featherweight division and fought rivals from Thailand and Venezuela before a broken finger forced him to withdraw from the tournament.
Only three years beforehand, Mohammed had met Muhammad Ali in Benghazi, the eastern city of Libya, which first rose up against Gaddafi last year.
Soon after his return to Libya from Venezuela, Mohammed had to stop boxing and instead took up powerlifting and bodybuilding after Gaddafi had banned his favourite sport.
"I kept my gloves in the closet and began training in powerlifting and bodybuilding," he says.
"I took them out two months ago after nearly 33 years to teach these boys," he says as Bassar and Haji begin another round of sparring.
The small compound from where Mohammed runs the club in central Tripoli's Zawiyah Street resembles an old garage with big iron gates painted in green and half-covered by a wooden roof.
ALI KNOCKING OUT GADDIFI
On the outside wall, a neatly drawn image depicts the sentiment of the men inside. The picture shows a young Muhammad Ali knocking out Gaddafi.
"The last punch of October 20," say the words below the painting, referring to the day Gaddafi was killed in Sirte
during a battle with rebels who these days often clash among themselves.
Behind the iron gates, two brown punching bags swing wildly from the rafters as three young men deliver a series of blows with their dusty looking gloves.
"This had always been my dream. I used to ask people where I can learn boxing, but nobody dared to talk of it," says Haji, a broad-shouldered man dressed in a T-shirt and tracksuit.
"Now, thanks to our coach, who is spending his own money, I can learn the sport. I want to be Libya's Muhammad Ali. I know we Libyans were good at boxing and that glory must return."
"My father says I must follow it. He says I am one of the first to take up this sport after Gaddafi's death and this will help in becoming famous," says a beaming Haji.
Bassar, who describes himself as a "peace-loving man", says boxing gives him "happiness and releases my energy."
"I want to be a professional boxer. I know it will happen," he says with a look of confidence.
Mohammed believes boxing comes naturally to Libyans. "Our men, from cities like Benghazi and Tripoli, are good at it, especially from Benghazi," he says.
But they face several challenges. To start with, Libya needs equipped clubs with fitness equipment and professional trainers.
The club that Mohammed runs has rain water dripping in through the roof. The recruits often slip on the wet floor.
"Look at this place. It is cold and wet. There is hardly anything here, except our desire to become boxers," says Haji as he steadies himself on the wet floor.
"But I am sure in this new Libya we will achieve our dreams."