Nordine Oubaali: French-Moroccan Olympian and WBC Champion
Nordine Oubaali was born in Lens, France, on August 4, 1986, to a family of Moroccan heritage. Representing France, he won a bronze medal in the light-flyweight division at the 2007 World Amateur Championships and competed at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games. The French Boxing Federation’s career profile describes his amateur record and his place in French boxing history.
Oubaali turned professional in 2014. After winning his first 14 bouts, he challenged Rau’shee Warren for the vacant WBC bantamweight title on January 19, 2019. Oubaali won a 12-round unanimous decision, becoming the first Frenchman to win the WBC bantamweight championship. Warren and Oubaali had also met as amateurs at the 2012 Olympics. Premier Boxing Champions’ bout report records the title result.
Boxing career and major results
He defended the belt against Arthur Villanueva in July 2019 and Takuma Inoue in November. After the planned 2020 fight with Nonito Donaire was delayed, they met on May 29, 2021. Donaire knocked Oubaali down three times and stopped him in round four to win the title. The PBC highlights and fight report cover the finish.
After two years away from the ring, Oubaali returned in Douai on April 29, 2023, and lost an eight-round split decision to Ricardo Martinez. He finished with 17 wins and 2 losses, including 12 knockouts. The French Boxing Federation’s results and L’Équipe’s report document the comeback bout.
Sources
Tags
Boxing, Boxing History
