Afghan Boxers to Compete in Moscow Against Tanzanian and Russian Opponents

Two Afghan boxers, Milad Azizi and Sobhanullah Babarkhel, are scheduled to enter the ring on Friday, February 13, 2026, as part of the RPF organization's competitions in Moscow, Russia.

Milad Azizi, who has five wins in freestyle fights and four victories in boxing, will face Baraka Mazura from Tanzania, who holds a professional boxing record of eight wins and four losses. The bout is set for six three-minute rounds. In the other match, Sobhanullah Babarkhel, with a perfect record of three wins in boxing, will take on Asdbek Zudovik from Russia, who has two professional wins. This fight will consist of four three-minute rounds.

According to the Afghanistan Boxing Federation, each athlete will participate in three to four fights during the event to assess their readiness and technical skills. The top four performers across weight classes will represent Afghanistan at the World Under-19 Boxing Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, from March 6 to 18.

Mohammad Bilal Rasouli, another Afghan boxer, expressed frustration over his exclusion from the Asian Championships in China. Rasouli stated he was the primary candidate, endorsed by federation officials for the Asian event, and had trained intensively for three months. He traveled from Herat to Kabul at his own expense to obtain a passport and cover lodging and travel costs but was informed that only one athlete and one coach were sent, without the federation leadership's knowledge. "To what hope should we train when rights do not go to the rightful?" Rasouli questioned.

Afghanistan International reported allegations of corruption and nepotism in the Afghanistan Athletics Federation, citing documents it received. Shapur Amiri, the federation's acting head, reportedly sent his son, Sahil Amiri, as secretary to the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in China.