"I'm very strict"

Number two in the world also as a referee in the ring

Ahmed Hagag is Austria's Olympic hope in boxing.(Bild: Scharinger Daniel)

Following an eye injury, Olympic boxing hopeful Ahmed Hagag from Braunau is working hard on his comeback, which is due to take place at the European Amateur Championships in Belgrade on April 15. The super-heavyweight is also "practicing" for the end of his career and is stepping into the ring as a "referee".

Despite the current Ramadan, Ahmed Hagag is not taking a break and is sweating hard for his comeback. "I'm completely fit, everything is going well and I'll be competing at the European Championships in Belgrade from 15 April," emphasizes Austria's Olympic boxing hopeful, who has regained full vision after several eye operations.

Nevertheless, the current number two in the amateur super heavyweight world rankings is already preparing for the time after his career. "Even if I don't fight anymore, I want to stay active in the scene," says Hagag, explaining why he trained as a referee.

Hagag also works as a referee.(Bild: zVg)

"I am very strict"
Because he has no competition in Austria, the 24-year-old is already stepping into the ring as a referee at domestic tournaments, as he did last week in Linz. "I'm very strict, when I say something, the athletes listen and they also have respect for me," grins Hagag, for whom it is important to know the other side as an athlete.

"I can also benefit from this as a boxer, I understand much more what is paid attention to and how my body language is perceived by the judges," says the heavyweight, who will be fighting for a ticket to Paris at the end of May.