Alistair Overeem to make boxing debut in Dubai against Jimi Manuwa
Former kickboxing world champion Alistair Overeem is scheduled to make his boxing debut against Jimi Manuwa in Dubai on 24 December, after a four-year absence from combat sports.
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Alistair Overeem will make his boxing debut in Dubai on 24 December, returning to combat sports after a four-year absence. The 46-year-old Dutchman is due to face Britain’s Jimi Manuwa at an event that also features Jake Paul against Cédric Doumbé.
Overeem announced the bout on the Instagram account of promoter Most Valuable Promotions, according to Dutch news outlet Nieuws.nl. He said he had fought the world’s best and been a champion in several disciplines, and described boxing as a new chapter.
His last fight was in October 2022, when he beat Badr Hari. Overeem subsequently tested positive in a doping test and received a 12-month suspension from kickboxing organisation Glory.
He also named former kickboxing rival Rico Verhoeven as a potential next opponent, saying he would be “next on my list” after Manuwa. That is Overeem’s stated intention; no bout with Verhoeven was announced.
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