Asaad Touqan: From shy schoolboy to boxing champion in Dubai

At 19, Dubai-based boxer Asaad Touqan has won the WBC Asia Youth super-middleweight title, becoming the first Jordanian-Palestinian fighter to claim a WBC Asia title.

The achievement represents a striking change for someone who remembers school as a place where even starting a conversation felt difficult. Touqan has spoken openly about experiencing social anxiety and struggling to connect with classmates before finding confidence and purpose through combat sports.

His recent victory also carries a particular connection to Dubai: he chose to pursue the title in the city that helped him develop as a fighter.

Choosing Dubai for a defining fight

Touqan had originally been expected to contest the title in Saudi Arabia, but wanted the opportunity to compete in his adopted home instead.

Explaining that decision, he said “this country has given me so much and I’ll always proudly represent it.”

He credits his Dubai-based coaches and sparring partners with helping him improve, providing the experience and competitive environment needed to progress.

Winning the belt there gave him a way to acknowledge that support. The city had become part of his sporting development, and he wanted it to be the setting for an important achievement.

Finding his place through combat sports

Touqan’s introduction to martial arts began with childhood karate classes intended to teach self-defence.

Competition eventually gave him a stronger connection to sport. He enjoyed success in kickboxing and Muay Thai, collecting medals at national and international level before making boxing his main focus.

He began boxing at eight and was joining adult classes by ten. Training with older, stronger partners was demanding, but he remembers being determined to prove he belonged.

The gym gave him a setting in which he could express an intensity that had been difficult to communicate elsewhere. Progress came through practice, competition and the recognition he earned from those around him.

Winning his family’s understanding

Turning professional required another difficult conversation.

Both parents initially opposed the decision because of the physical risks involved. Touqan tried to reassure his father by explaining how boxing could help him establish a public identity, develop relationships and create opportunities beyond the ring.

His family’s background had already shaped his understanding of discipline and toughness, with uncles who served in military and law-enforcement roles in Jordan. Professional boxing nevertheless brought a different kind of concern into family life.

His mother now takes pride in his achievements, although watching him compete remains difficult. She attends his fights and prays, often keeping her eyes away from the action.

Her concern extends to the everyday details of his preparation, including his sleep and training.

Building a name that can open doors

Touqan draws inspiration from Muhammad Ali, particularly his emphasis on honesty and remaining true to himself.

His immediate ambition is to achieve more in boxing and earn lasting recognition.

“I want to be a recognised name — a name to remember,” he said.

He also sees the sport as a foundation for a wider future. Real estate, production and acting are among the fields he could eventually explore, using the reputation and relationships he builds through boxing.

For now, the title gives him a significant early milestone. His broader aim remains closely connected to the boy he remembers from school: to feel confident approaching people, to be taken seriously and to create opportunities through his own efforts.